Our Bible Study is over until the fall, there is no work to be done on choir folders this afternoon, and so I have a bit of time to write today. I thought I would just lighten up a bit and just chat about “things.”

Tomorrow our choir is singing in front of City Hall at noon for the National Day of Prayer celebration. My husband and I sang last year, and it was inspirational. There are Pastors from many of the area churches who pray. One, for example, prayed for our country and our leaders, another for marriages, another about abortion and one Pastor prayed for the peace of Israel.

It was a hot day but a small crowd began to form nonetheless. Some stopped and listened, others just walked by after pausing for a brief time. The one thing that surprised me – which really shouldn’t have – was the people walking back and forth with signs protesting us being there. One of the signs said “Separation of Church and State”. They were all along that line – in general accusing us of trying to force our religious views on everyone else. The really surprising thing was that these were older adults for the most part. Our Music Minister said we should just pray for them. I did, and I felt inspired to sing with greater feeling. I wanted so badly for the words of the songs to impact them. I pray that they did.

This year our Music Minister has already received a threatening phone call. It was from an activist who has moved here from California. He threatened to sue if we sing in front of City Hall again this year. Our fearless leader replied, “Be sure you spell my name right.” We have the right to be there, and be there we will. The newspaper has already gotten wind of all this and called our Music Minister for an interview. He said he guarded his words very carefully so he wouldn’t be taken out of context.

My parents had some friends visiting from Virginia last week. One of the things this couple wanted to do was visit a small town about an hour north of us known for its unique shops. My Dad never asked us for directions, so we figured either he remembered how to get there (we’ve taken them a few times) or the friends had it all mapped out. Wrong. They didn’t have directions, but my Dad said “Not to worry. I’m sure I’ll be able to find it.” Now if this couple had ever ridden in a car with my Dad when he uttered those fateful words “I think I know a shortcut.” they would have run as fast as their little feet could carry them to the nearest computer and clicked on Map quest. My Mom has just given up trying to convince him to get directions first.

Three hours later they were riding through the big city an hour SOUTH of us. Resigned to their fate they stopped at a nearby Olive Garden and had lunch. They never did get to the little town. I know who I get my sense of direction from. I can get lost driving around the block!!

We had such a nice visit with our daughter on Sunday afternoon. She has recently started a new job and is so excited about her career as an editor. She left her full-time job and took a part-time job so that she can concentrate on getting her own free-lance editing business started. She is doing so well. It is such fun to talk with her about all that is going on. She’s writing for a local college – newsletters. She was recently hired to write articles for a wedding magazine. She is doing medical editing and all sorts of new and exciting things. I love it because it is writing – and I love writing. I am so proud of her. She is getting a great reputation as an editor and writer. It is an absolute joy.

She brought me my Mother’s Day gift because she is going to be out of town that weekend - a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. Perfect! I’ve already used it. I got Earlene Fowler’s newest mystery “Tumbling Blocks” (each of her book titles is the name of a quilt block). This is the 13th book in the series. She is a Christian writer, but her books are marketed in the mainstream. I can’t wait to read it.

Time to practice a bit of piano. We do have choir practice tonight, so I need to fix an early dinner.

Remember to pray for Heather. Her surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. I think it’s wonderful that tomorrow is also the National Day of Prayer. As we pray for our nation we will remember to pray for Mark and Heather and their family.

Blessings,