New Digs!

I have a new address!  Visit me at my new home!

You Gotta Love It!

We heard about this on The Today show this morning, so of course I had to check it out.  I have to admit that I found myself sitting here with a pretty big grin on my face and my toes tapping!  What a fun couple this must be.  Although I’m not sure if it would go over good in our church I sure got a kick out of it!  I can see my nephew having this kind of wedding entrance dance, that’s for sure!

Funnel Cakes, French Fries, Fried Cheese to Please!

Funnel Cakes, french fries, fried cheese to please! Sound good? Well it was! It’s been a while since we’ve been to a down home county fair. So last night we headed over to the Delaware County Fair in Manchester, Iowa. Now, normally we wouldn’t have gone to the fair in Delaware County since we do live in Jones County and the Great Jones County Fair and FoodFest is coming up next week. But, we couldn’t resist an evening with Big Daddy Weave, one of our favorite Christian Bands. Although I do have to admit that the thought of fair food was also very enticing. It’s not a big fair, in fact it’s pretty small, but very reminiscent of our days spent at the Iroquois County Fair. We loved that fair and would spend all day long there spending time with our friends, watching the kids from our town show their animals, checking out the 4-H exhibits and of course chowing down on the most famous Illinois Pork Producers pork burgers (yes I know I live in the land of Iowa Pork, but there really is nothing like an IL. pork burger). So, as we entered the fairgrounds memories of fun days at the fair came flooding back. First place- the food booths! Who could resist tenderloins as big as a tire, french fries and fried cheese to please. None of the 4 of us could. Even though the funnel cakes and mini-donuts smelled heavenly we did resist those. Next stop-ice cream! I was really full and I really don’t think Jon and Keith were, but you just can’t pass by that soft serve ice-cream ironically placed almost next to the dairy barn. I did feel just a little funny walking through the barn eating by ice-cream cone, but I guess it was better than eating a burger while walking through there. Cher and Keith also couldn’t pass up the strawberry smoothies. Gigantic cups filled with beautiful deep red strawberry smoothie stuff topped with a huge strawberry. I have to admit that I may not like strawberries or smoothies, but it sure did look good.

Stomachs full it was time to check out the animal barns. The cow and calf judging was going on and we were able to get up close and personal with a couple of momma cows and their sweet little calves waiting in the holding pens. There was one set of twin calves with faces that would melt your heart and possibly swear you to never eating beef again. Pigs don’t thrill me, in fact I find them somewhat gross and disgusting, especially the one that aimed at Cheryl D. when it had to potty, but they sure do give us some awesome Iowa Pork chops and they are kind of funny to watch. Guess some must’ve not liked their food since they were eating the bag instead, some were too lazy to even get up to eat and were laying down at their bowl. Others looked like they were just tossed out of the Pig Mania Game. I’m a little afraid of chickens, so I’m glad they were all caged up, but there were some very interesting ones there with fuzzy heads and lots of feathers. They almost looked like a white feather duster with a beak! Sure wish I had thought to take a picture of them.

It didn’t take us long to walk around the fair so we headed over to the arena where Big Daddy Weave was to perform. Admission to the concert was included in our fair admission and not knowing how crowded it was going to be we wanted to make sure that we got some good seats. Not to worry- we found some great seats about 3 rows from the front off to the side. A little loud since we were right in front of the speakers, but we were able to see their faces up close and personal. It was a sweet night of worship, music, celebration and fun. With the stars coming out as the skies darkened, a slight breeze blowing and the temperature just cool enough to put a sweatshirt on it was such a reminder of what an absolutely amazing and awesome God that we have. Troubles and burdens melted away. Shoulders felt lighter and soon Cheryl and I were hardly able to even stand still. I know if we had the room we would’ve been dancin’ in the aisles! All told there were about 1000 folks there to hear the music and to see what a sweet and grace filled God we have.

Heading back over towards the main part of the fair I was amazed at how crowded it had gotten. Folks standing in line for those funnel cakes and all the belly bombers you can stand, the beer tent was hopping, and there was just a general sense of fun, fellowship and community. Now, how cool is that!

As we walked away I remarked that it would be wonderful if every week could be filled as this past week has been. A “Night of Worship” on Sat. night with Darrell Evans, our first Contemporary Worship service on Sunday night at church, Wed. night worship with Big Daddy Weave, and Theology on Tap tonight! It’s been an awesome week!

In God’s Time

When I reflect back on events that have taken place or are taking place in our family I’m always so amazed at God’s timing and also reminded that He is in charge and in control. For me it’s such a lesson in fully putting my trust in Him. So here’s what’s been happening. Our son and daughter-in-law moved to Minneapolis last year and at that time put their Omaha house up for sale. Now for anyone that has been through the selling process I’m sure you can empathize with us on the frustration, worry, stress and many prayers that are lifted up during the process. We swing into this year, still no sale. The market falls, more worry, stress and of course, many more prayers. Many showings, hopes of someone being interested, but still no sale. All of a sudden about a month ago Justin calls and they’ve got a buyer! As we get ready to head over to Omaha to help them load the truck with their belongings I began to reflect about the entire process & how we have always told our sons that if something is meant to be it will be and it will be when it is supposed to be. (God’s timing, not ours). I started to think about how God truly did have them wrapped in His arms through the entire year of the house being for sale. As we talk with Justin about everything that needs to get done I can’t help but think that God’s timing on the sale was delayed to now so that Justin & Susie would have time to deal with everything connected with the sale. He has given them time to adjust in MN. at new jobs, a new city, new digs, new friends. I’m not sure how either of them would’ve found time to get everything done while dealing with the responsibility of a new job and all that goes along with just getting your feet on the ground. Once they knew the house was sold they began to search for a bigger place to live in MN. but nothing was coming up. They were resigned to waiting a bit until the end of the summer, rented storage units for their stuff, and lo and behold this past week they find an awesome duplex to move into which will suit them to a T. So as I think back on the process, the timing of everything and how all has fallen into place so sweetly for them I just thank God for keeping them in His arms and care and thank Him for so many prayers that have been answered!

God’s Time- not ours!!

The Sun has gone down

The sun has gone down for the last time at Marco. Well, for the last time for us this year at our island paradise. The one thing we love about coming to Marco is the familiarity of being here, the friends that we have known for 20 some years, and just being able to really do nothing. Days are spent sitting by the pool with a book in hand and ipod earplugs in the ears. Short dips in the pool to cool off, stopping to talk with friends, quick walks on the beach to see what’s happening down there, cool drinks and just relaxation fill the days. There are days that we cook in and there are days that we eat out. Plans aren’t made until we are ready to make them. Alarms aren’t allowed, but early morning walks on the beach are. Fishing poles are in hand and we thank God for Publix, the local grocery store.

So our 2 weeks at our island paradise comes to an end as we pack up the car and head back to the midwest. But along with us go a beautiful tan, some souvenirs and most of all memories to share with our sons and others that weren’t able to be with us this year, new memories that we now share with friends that vacationed with us for the first time and more memories added to our list to rehash with our friends through the year until we all meet again at our island paradise. It’s been an awesome 2 weeks!

If you haven’t had a chance to hear about some of the places that we’ve been on our 2 weeks, I’d invite you to check out my travel blog!

Paradise 2009

Palm trees, white sand, a trip to Key West, great food and wonderful friends.  It’s been an awesome time so far here at Marco.  Check out more on my travel blog!

On the road again!

We headed out on Thursday for our annual trip to Marco.  I thought if anyone is interested you could cyber join us on our trip by following my travel blog, Gypsies.  I’ll be updating if I’m bored from sitting by the pool sipping cool drinks and reading!

Gentlemen start your engines!

Today is the Indy 500 and a day filled with really cool memories! This was always the weekend that my folks would open up the pool at home and I remember listening to the race on the radio as we pulled the cover, hosed down the pool deck, pulled out the lawn chairs and could hardly wait until the water was sparkling clean and ready for us to swim. A Memorial Day tradition in the Rath household which continued after we were married and moved away. For some reason the Indy 500 captured my attention and became our family tradition, even listening to it whenever I had to work on that Sunday of the race.

So, you can imagine the excitement in our family the year that Brett was living in Indy and got to go to the race. I remember telling Jon it would be so awesome if he called from the track and no sooner had I said that my phone rang. “Mom, I’m at the track at it’s awesome”. Of course all I could hear was the vroommmm of the cars as they sped by and a very faint voice telling me how cool it was. The race was called part-way through because of rain, but just being there was enough for Brett. I remember the next year when Justin & Susie got married Brett’s remark to his brother was “I must really love you- I’m missing the Indy 500 for your wedding”!

As Jon and I turned the TV on this afternoon, listened to Jim Nabors sing “Back Home Again In Indiana” and heard the traditional “Gentlemen (and ladies, now) start your engines, the memories all come flooding back. I couldn’t resist sending Brett and text today as the opening ceremonies began- “Gentlemen start your engines”. Yep, he’ll probably think his mom has totally lost it, but deep down inside I know it will also bring back some sweet memories for him as well.

What an awesome start to an even more wonderful holiday weekend!

Just a thought

I love my new desk calendar “By the Light of the Psalms”. Each day brings a new verse from the Psalms, along with a sweet thought about that particular verse. This morning it really caught my eye. Here’s the first part of today’s Psalm.

“The Sparrow hath found a nest.” Psalm 84:3.

About 4 weeks ago we noticed a momma robin fervently making a nest on one of our upstairs bedroom windowsills. As she was creating this new home for her soon to be babies the weather turned cold with gale force winds and tons of rain. We kept checking to see how she was doing and found her constantly hunkered down in her nest protecting her new home from the elements. Soon there were 3 eggs in the nest. We thought for sure we would find the eggs blown down off the sill and laying on the sidewalk below. Then one day — 3 baby robins appeared. The wind kept blowing, momma robin kept sitting in her nest protecting her new babies just as so many of us do with our children. How quickly they grew in a couple of weeks! And the other day we see three little robins lined up on the windowsill waiting to test their wings!

It has made me really think about God’s creation surrounding us that we so frequently take for granted. Momma robin could’ve so easily chosen a safe spot on a lower branch of a tree protected by the wind. Instead, in my mind, she took a step out in faith, built her nest on a second story window sill pretty much in the open with nothing to protect her from predators, the wind, rain, or cold except the little corner where sill meets house. Did she know that God would protect even her, a little robin, just a bird? Do we have that kind of faith and trust too?

Here’s the second part of today’s calendar:

No detail too small in the Kingdom of God

Travels

As many of you know Jon and I love to travel not only to new places, but to those that are familiar to us and feel like home. We love to spend time where the local folks go when we visit. There are so many favorite places that we have visited, but our favorites are Marco Island, Florida, Ireland, Israel and San Antonio, TX. Of course as a clergy family you know we only travel for relaxation and fun!

So, I thought I’d try something new and try a travel blog so you all can “travel” along with us!  Of course there’s not much on there right now but check it out soon as we head out next week for “Paradise 2009″!