Extraordinary and Ordinary Days

I started writing this blog post back in April, about 3 weeks ago. I'm not sure why it is that I've been writing less these days. It certainly isn't because I'm not thinking of things to write about!

The big event in our lives since I wrote what follows here was Dan & Shatera's wedding last Saturday (May 7). What a sweet and Holy Spirit filled time! The newlyweds have been on their honeymoon this week. I think they return today.

All three of our kids have married such wonderful people. Dan's Shatera is a delightful, strong and beautiful addition to the family. When I get a chance I'll post a picture of us all.

Toni and I were more or less in charge of the rehearsal dinner last Friday evening. (Toni more, I less -- way less. Toni's a champ when it comes to family events.) My brother Peter's family, Toni's friend Jody, our daughter Naomi and her husband Tim and who knows who all else helped Toni make the dinner at "St. Paul Fellowship" to be an extraordinarily lovely time. For me personally a highlight has been getting to know Shatera's family, and the many others who have blessed her life up until now. I, and we, are so thankful to the Lord for ALL He has done!

What follows here was written last month. You'll see that what prompted it was an invitation from my cousin who suggested that I take and post photos of "ordinary days."

--- Written Tuesday evening, April 19 ---

last week's guys "MOVE" group with
Jesse B. & his guitar

I have a few minutes to write at the moment. None of the guys who usually come on Tuesdays could make it tonight so I've had a little time to relax. We're postponing the second part Jesse's Bible study until next week.

Life is good and full. Toni's been able to be in Cokato with Jon & Breanna and their three girls (1½ year old Lydia and month old twins Amara & Karis). She's arranged her schedule to be free on Mondays. My parents got to meet the twins last weekend. Thanks to Jon & Breanna for making the trek with the girls to our Roseville home!

Last week my cousin Sandi challenged me to post some photos of "everyday life" on facebook. The guys group picture was from Tuesday. Monday's was of my running shoes, I've committed to starting to train for the Twin Cities Marathon... don't know I'll actually do it. I'm doing my best to stay in shape as I get close to my 60th birthday -- NEXT MONTH!

tried getting my uniform badge
in the pic but failed   :-p

My pic for Wednesday was of my morning bus. Yes, I'm still enjoying this "new" occupation. I've been on the job since July 15 of last year (after several weeks of training), and so far, amazing to me, I have had no accidents or negative marks on my record. I'll get a one year safe driving award if I make it another 11 weeks, but when I think of everything that could happen at so many moments during the rush hours I drive, I know it's very much a "one day at a time" prospect. Come ride with me and I'll show you what I mean!

The good thing about the job is that I do have some time for other things. I'm working about 8 hours a day, but that includes the double commute, so it really isn't a bad life. I'm so thankful.

at the new Bridging warehouse

My Thursday "ordinary life" picture was taken from the top of an industrial style storage rack at Bridging in Roseville. I've been volunteering in their warehouse for a few hours every other Thursday. I had wanted to keep active in some sort of social service work when we moved to the Twin Cities and the Lord opened the door to help out there. I've kept at it pretty regularly beginning in early January.

On the day I took this picture I was helping get the donated furniture ready for Bridging "clients" to choose from. The warehouse crew handles donations from individuals and businesses, and we load and deliver furniture and other household items. Other volunteers sort through piles of donated items, others work in the wood or electrical shops, and many others help about 13,000 families "shop" for free every year at the Bridging warehouses in Bloomington and Roseville.

Beyond the bit of physical warehouse work I designed a flyer that social service agencies and others can use to help their clients get to the Roseville Bridging. Suburbs aren't easy to navigate for those without cars, and those who benefit from what Bridging often don't have reliable vehicles -- many are just coming out of being homeless! [Since I wrote this in April I've been asked to make a similar flyer for the Bloomington location. I hope to get to that project before too long.]

By time time Friday rolls around I'm ready for a break. Here's the what got posted last week (April 15):

Ordinary Day photo #5 - Toni took this on our evening walk around Como Lake. I always look forward to getting off work on Fridays so Toni and I can do something in the city together. This is our second Friday in a row enjoying take-out and a walk at Como until dark. <3 br="">
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So that's all I got written, more or less, on April 19. Now it's Saturday, almost a month later. I've been relishing a day without any real plans. I wanted to finish this blog post and now I'll go on to other things.

spring at 1490 Lydia Ave W in Roseville
the home we rent from Pastor Paul Anderson

I don't know how much blogging I'll do in the future. Back when I was serving as a pastor in Cokato I knew that at least some of the folks from my churches there were reading what I was writing, but now I don't have a captive audience like that. I do share, quite a bit, on "social media" (facebook and twitter). I'm continuing theological and biblical work when I have time and energy -- I've started explorations of Trinitarian Theology on this blog that I'll probably continue at some point, but the best way to keep track of what's up with me and the family is to personally connect, or to check out the social media

It's my hope and prayer that all I've written and shared here has been a way to give thanks and praise to the Lord who sustains and strengthens every day.

God bless you all.

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