A Heavenly Quilt Retreat

Last week was a quilt of laughter, shopping, sharing and food.  Twelve women shared two houseboats at the Paducah Quilt Show.  We are all quilter of varying degrees, some long time and some short.  Most are exceptional in their details and perfection and some of us just enjoy looking at our quilts from a distance.  We all like the colors - Civil War reproductions of rich hues, Batiks of bright patterns, Blues and creams of warmth and even airplanes or cartoon characters.

The real joy of this group is the deep experiences of loving Jesus, telling others about Jesus, sharing Jesus in all they do and joining together everywhere for prayer.  As each one pieces together quilts they piece together other lives and care so much for those who are in need.

I truly wish everyone could experience this kind of joy.  You all encourage me to do more.   It sustains me!  Thank you each one of you for being a part of my life.  Blessings and grace to you as we start planning for next year.

Joy and lunch.

JOY!  It is the third week of Advent, the week of joy and today was a day of Joy for me.  I had a wonderful lunch with long time friends.  There is something really wonderful about seeing people once a year to find out what they are doing, how their families have grown or changed and how God is working in their lives.

These are people I worked with in what now seems like another life yet is so connected to this one.  These are all people who cared about each other when we worked together and are still loving, caring people.  It is so good at this time of year to remember that goodness abounds, love is constant and joy can be found in retelling old stories.

Thank you my friends for remembering me in your busy lives.  May the joy of the Advent Season be with you all year long.

Last Breath

There is something incredibly honorable about being present for a last breath. There is sadness in the realization that there will be no more breaths but a certain peacefulness in knowing that while this life has ended a new eternal life is beginning.

This week two lives ended only hours apart.  Each one fought for life for the past three years, always trying to do more, to live more, to be more for the families they loved.  Each one a caring husband and father. Each one close to the God they knew even more intimately these last few years.

The families are sad, wondering about ongoing living with this man who cared for them over the years.  The families are at peace knowing the struggle for living is over, the body and the disease that robbed them of life on earth lost a battle for their soul.  God is joyful with the reception  in heaven, in eternity for two men who lived life fully.

It is the time of Advent, waiting for the Christ child, waiting for the presence of the baby who came so long ago and yet returns in our celebration every year. It is the time when we remember the baby who grew to be a man and like these two men faced death.  A different death but one that still robbed him of life on earth.  It is because of his death, Christ the Lord, that the other two men have the opportunity to live eternally in the presence of the one we celebrate.

As you remember those you have lost over the years to death, also remember the love of Christ, the waiting for the child, who grew to be the man, who died so that all of us will live.  Love came down at Christmas and never left.

Blessings and peace for this second week of Advent.

The Music of Advent

It is the beginning of Advent and I do wonder about the places I'll go in the next few weeks. Of course I'll do a little shopping but I may only go to the computer to do that instead of the crowds. There is some fun in the crowds as I watch what people buy, how they find parking places, who shops with them and how they carry all their bags. If the spouse is along that usually becomes the bag carrier or the child keeper. Then there are all the church things happening. More music we notice than any other time of hte year. I know there are great Easter Cantatas but Christmas music begins at Thanksgiving and is present everywhere we go - I love that about Christmas- because I particularly like the music. I'm listening to Celtic Woman (Holiday) as I write this for your reading. Church is one of the important parts of this time of year. Just to see the children as they celebrate in their joy is a gift to us and to God. Christ is Christmas- we literally would not have the season with the him as the true reason - so do not eliminate Christ and church from your activities. I'll go visit family all during this time and they will visit with us. There will be a time for friends to come by, to share meals together or maybe just a cup of coffee. I'll hear about thier children and grandchildren while they have the joy of hearing about mine. I'll visit homes to pray with those who are ill and hopefully add a little fo God's grace to lives that are distraught. It always seems hard that some must be sad while others are so very happy right now. Just remember that the lights that shine bright on trees, houses, front doors and buildings are shining for everyone who has eyes to see. Today, I'll meet with children to tell them about Advent - the beginning of a new year in the church life. I'll tell them about Chrismons and colors. I'll tell them about the little baby who came and all the world celebrated. We have great music at Christmas because God sent the angels to sing for that baby and it has never stopped. Later I'll meet with adults to share the beauty of the artwork of John August Swanson whose bright colors and rich details bring the Christmas story to light in a new way. Where will you travel this season? My prayer is that wherever you go you will go to a place that takes you closer to Christ, the baby, the saviour and the one who will come again. Blessings and grace. C. Kay

Floating along in the Dead Sea

Yes. That is exactly what we did today! Only a couple of people in our group stayed out if the water. The rest of us floated along with hands and feet in the air. Then we put the mud from the bottom on us and of course took pictures. Too bad you will never get to see them, there are some things that stay in Israel. If you want to see me in a bathing suit floating with mud on my arms you just have to make the trip!!

We also spent time at Masada, the place where Jewish revolutionaries held off thousands of Romans before all committing suicide so not to be slaves to the captors. As we walked along that plateau we thought about what it must have been like to raise a family there. Even if theyived very modestly it was still a long way to the top.

The view out over the Dead Sea one over to Jordan is beautiful and they certainly would have known if anyone was coming. It is a remarkable site.

We took a quick side trip to Bethany to see the church of Mary, Maryb and Lazarus. A few went all the way to Lazarus grave. Tomorrow is the last day in Israel. We will end with communion at the Garden tomb location then those who will stay will get ready to go to Jordan on Thursday morning. The rest will head for home.

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts for us. We will be home soon Blessings and love to you all.

C. Kay

More Walking with Jesus

We started the day on the Temple Mount where there is so much history. Looked at the top of the mount to think about what it must have looked like when Jesus was there. From there we walked through the old city to the Western wall. Because of the weather it was not crowded and we had plenty of time to pray at the wall. I left prayers there for many people.

From the wall we walked to the southern wall and the teaching steps. It is incredible to think we sat on steps where Jesus may have walked and taught people the parables. Then to the lower street that was discovered below the wall of where Jesus walked. We walked along in that space. Incredible!!!

The afternoon was at the Upper Room, David's tomb and then Caiphus house! This is the place where Jesus spent his only night in Jerusalem in a dark pit. Both times I've been there I have seen a vision of Jesus in the stone. I wish I could describe it because it was different this time but still the face of Jesus. Very moving and meaningful to me.

Tomorrow we go to Masada and the Dead Sea then to Bethany. It just keeps getting better. I am so thankful for this great blessing.

Once again we wish you were here with us. Blessings and love.

C. Kay

We are in Jerusalem.

We got to Jerusalem yesterday and went to Bethlehem to see the Chirch of the Annunciation and the Shepherds fields. Several people also found some great shopping bargains. The day turned a little cool toward the end but ww were fine.

We started the day at Jericho looking at the site of the old city and of douse the Sycamore tree where zachheaus climbed up to see Jesus. Looking at the oasis that is Jericho helps you to see why they would stop there. If one travelled from Galilee to Jerusalem there is no other good way and the last part would be tough. Jericho is about 300 ft below sea level and Jerusalem , Bethlehem and Bethany are 1500 ft above. That's a tough climb in the desert so stopping for water at Jericho was a must.

Today was part of the Old City and the LMount of Olives. It is such an I credible site to look out over all of Jerusalem from the top. Then to stop at the Garden of Gethsemanee sort of takes your breath away. Those old olive trees remind us of Jesus praying before giving his life for our eternal life. I'll put up some pics when I return.

In the rainy afternoon we visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher with all it's glory but also moving memories. Walked lots of steps into the Old City. Tomorrow we go to the wall where we will pray and place our prayers.

We are all doing well, no one lost, hurt or sick. God is good.

We will be praying for you too. Love and blessings.

C. Kay