2013-09-30

Baskets on a Pole

I was raised Catholic. Which means I attended church dutifully in a building with lots of candles, that was shaped like a cross, and had a "crying room." It also smelled funny. All the time. And even now, when I catch a whiff of that "incense" smell, it takes me back. The priests use to burn this stuff in a censer which hung from a chain, and then they'd walk around waving it here and there to spread the smoke. It's been a long time since I participated in any Catholic ceremonies, and I've lost a lot of the symbolism, but the smell will always be there. It actually upsets my stomach. 

That's quite possibly because of the fear associated with it. We attended mass regularly as a part of our schooling, and I was NEVER  prepared. Bring a chapel veil? Yeah. Never remembered that one, so scrambled for a kleenex and prayed it would stay on my head. Supposed to bring a rosary? Yeah. Forgot that too. I just kept my hands at my waist and hoped no one noticed. Right. My teacher, Sister whoever she was, let me know in no uncertain terms I was  a HUGE disappointment to her and I would be losing my sticker for that week. How brutal. I don't remember how old I was for the "final blow" of the lost sticker, but the rebuke was accompanied by that smell. Maybe that's why it makes me feel a little ill. Or maybe I just don't like the smell. That's probably it. I'm  not very deep.

I was able to say the entire mass in Latin by the time I was 7. That's not to say that I actually understood the Latin words until much later, but my diction and inflection was pretty spot on. "E-coom spee ree tutu ooooooooooooo, please pass the biscuits." I still remember a lot of it. And I had
the choreography of the mass down pat. Stand up, sit down, kneel down, repeat after me...... I was on it. At one time, I was pretty sure I was going to be a nun. I'd actually practice what that would be like by draping a pink and white plaid baby blanket over my head and kneeling down. I'm not sure what I thought I was accomplishing when I "practiced" but in my child like mind, I was gonna be good! 

Probably the most fascinating part of the mass, though, were the baskets on the poles. There were men in the church that served as ushers, and they really  'ushered.' No way were you going to get away with sitting on the end of the pew. They'd keep bringing people to be seated in that pew until you were actually pushed out the other end. I think they might have taken "packing them in" seminars in order to get their ushering license. 

The ushers used the baskets on a pole to take up the collections. These things would reach clear to the middle of the pew. A basket was attached to one end of the pole so that you could put your offering in it without ever having to touch the basket. And there was a bicycle handle on the other end of the pole with finger groves and everything. The ushers kept those things moving. You had to time your drop just right, or you missed the zone and your offering ended up in your lap or on the floor. The usher would back the basket up to retrieve your contribution, but it always included a little attitude at having harshed his groove. 

There was a little sleeve of fabric that encircled the pole so that when you held the pole with your hand on the sleeve, it just slid out and back really easily. Along with thinking I wanted to be a nun, I also harbored a secret desire to be an usher so that I could zip around with that nifty basket on a pole. They used to stand in the corner of the church, and I actually touched one once. I guess I'm delusional AND easy to amuse.



But you shall seek the Lord at the place
which the Lord your God will choose 
from all your tribes, 
to establish His name there for His dwelling,
and there you shall come.
There you shall bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices,
your tithes, the contribution of your hand, 
your votive offerings, your freewill offerings,
and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.
There also you and your households 
shall eat before the Lord your God,
and rejoice in all your undertakings
in which the Lord your God has blessed you.
Deut 12:5-7




7 years old. Before braces and after the "bad bang" experience.


Monday's Grace 9/30/2013

There is no better way to start the week than to focus on the simple things God provides. We don't deserve a thing from Him, and so His attention to even the smallest detail is reason to celebrate. Today, I went for my quarterly appointment and cleaning at the dentist. Sounds weird, but I am so thankful for my teeth! I want to keep the ones I was born with until I no longer need to chew. 



The lovely parting gifts from today's appointment



I know that there is nothing better for them
than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime;
moreover, that every  man who eats and drinks
sees good in all his labor--
it is a gift of God.
I know that everything God does will remain forever;
there is nothing to add to it
and there is nothing to take from it,
for God has so worked
that men should fear Him.
Ecc. 3:12-14

2013-09-20

The Indians Social Life



Enjoying the last bit of summer




The Indians love to go out to lunch




And they love to make new friends. Meet Jen and Margarita!




They have their hairs done..........




......and go shopping for fabric.




Quick trip to the store.




And they really like to drive, but have a bit of a problem with the stick shift!





Playing trains is a new hobby




And when he comes home,
he calls together his friends and his neighbors, 
saying to them,
"Rejoice with me, 
for I have found my sheep which was lost!"
Luke 15:6



2013-09-16

Monday's Grace 9/16/2013

Today, a process that started nearly a year ago came to a close. Veterans benefits, earned by my dad's service in the military, are up and running to help my mom. The VA took wonderful care of my brother as he battled the ALS that eventually took his life. And now this same organization will help with my mom's care. The Veterans Administration gets a lot of bad press, but we're very thankful for the help they've provided for our family.








My Army dad in 1953



Honor your father and mother 
that your days may be prolonged in the land
which the Lord your God gives you.
Ex. 20:12


2013-09-10

Just Another Day 10 on 10

Technically, 10 on 10 is "1 thing each hour for 10 hours on the 10th day of the month"........... at least I'm pretty sure that's what it is. So, here are 10 things from a normal day.





Getting ready for the start of another CBS year




I reeeeeeeeaaaaaalllly don't like arts and crafts. But these must get done!




Time for a lunch break. I understand Duck Dynasty has made my retro Tupperware tumblers cool again! I even have the green one!




Quick trip to the store for dinner. The Indians came along.





*sigh* MORE arts and crafts. Now I get to color!




My power tools aren't as fun as my husbands




Now I need to find a place to store THIS awesome find!




On the way to Life Group........




.....where I get to see some of my favorite people!!



Life Group. Great way to end the day.


So do not worry about tomorrow;
For tomorrow will take care of itself.
Each day has enough trouble of it's own. 
Matt. 6:34


Linking up to: A Bit of Sunshine

2013-09-02

Mondays Grace 9/2/2013

Today is Labor Day and I'm very thankful that my handsome half has a job that he loves at which to labor. The evidence of God's grace in his employment is easily seen in a full pantry, and fridge, and cabinets full of dishes on which to prepare and eat what He has provided. God takes care of the big and the basic. In His grace, He is in all of the details.
















And today... a non traditional Labor Day lunch!!




For this reason I say to you,
do not be worried about your life,
as to what you will eat or what you will drink;
nor for your body, as to what you will put on.
Is not life more than food,
and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air,
that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth more than they?
Matt. 6:25-26