Only 11 people showed up for Pentecost.
I told them they would have stars in their crowns.
My sermon was about how Fear says 'NO!' and God says 'YES!'
I really belief that our fear keeps us from doing the work God has given us to do.
And I believe God's yes enables us to be God's people.
Remember that as you deal with life.
The train to Baltimore was 3 hrs. and 50 minutes late getting there--it felt like 70 hours late.
We got to see T., who isn't graduating yet, and Josh, ate a little late dinner and went to our hotel.
Neither Bern or I sleep well in a strange bed--but Josh took us to the graduation locale (outside on a hot day) a little early.
The graduates from the exclusive girls school all wore white dressing gowns and carried a basket of flowers.
It went well and quickly.
Josh took us to Kathy's house--they are currently separated and we got to hug E. and C. and give them their gifts.
Kathy's dog jumped on me and knocked me down. Wonderously, Josh picked my 170 pound body up and put me on the couch. He's a strong guy.
Then lunch with all of them plus Kathy's parents, who are great folks.
Then to the train station for a rare on-time train and home by 10 p.m.
We both slept like babies from the rigors of the trip.
But the time in Baltimore with family was great and wondrous.
Worth all the bad stuff in getting there.
Leaving in the a.m. back on Friday late.
See you on Saturday with tales of our trip to Baltimore.
I've worn the folks at Bible Study with the Gnostic scriptures.
So we need something new.
I have to think about what--they had lots of suggestions and I'll have to do some research to find something.
We shall see.
I could have continued with the Gnostics for month.
But they didn't want to.
I live for their demands and needs.
Really....
The 'deep cleaning' wasn't bad but it was only half my mouth. I have to go back on July 1 for the left side.
What was bad was the x-rays afterward--about 12 of them. I kept gagging on the contraption that they put in my mouth and it took them 18 tries to get 12 good shots.
I've been to the dentist so often recently that I feel like I should rent a room there.
I've already paid enough to rent the room and I still have a lot of visits to go.
Seeing x-rays of my pitiful teeth is hard to take but not as hard as getting them taken.
I may be getting bitter about all this.
You never know.
On Thursday we're riding the train to Baltimore to watch Chris and Emma graduate from high school.
We've got a gift and money to give them.
I look forward to it.
But tomorrow I go to the dentist for a 'deep cleaning', which doesn't sound very up-beat.
Still waiting for my dental implant.
Wednesday I go to Trinity Church for Bible Study.
We're reading the Gnostic Scriptures.
This week it is "The Acts of Peter and the twelve disciples."
It's short and unlike anything in our Bible.
I look forward to a wondrous discussion.
And we always have communion around the table before we read and discuss.
A good time.
Then to Baltimore....
All was good at Trinity today!
Except for one thing--a vestry meeting.
Oh, that didn't cause problems, but I just hate Vestry meetings more than a tooth drilling. Always have--even when I led them as Rector.
I'm not sure why I don't like them. They are, I suppose, needed.
Just that side of church business doesn't grab me like worship and Bible Study and hymns.
I always open with a prayer before the Senior Warden takes over to lead.
I always pray that we will be thoughtful and righteous and make the meeting short.
That part always gets a laugh.
Which the highlight of the meeting for me.
