God's Grace

This has been a week that we have been truly blessed by the grace and protection of God. Although when reading this, it seems like a lot of back luck, but that is not the case. On Tuesday, while mowing for the park with the commercial lawn mower, Fred had a mishap. The slippery ground by the lake sort of just let go, the mower flipped over backwards an headed down the hill to the lake. Fred was either thrown off or jumped -it happened so fast that he really had no time to think - he was on the ground sliding to the lake with the mower, still running, right behind him. All he could think of was to cover his head and pray. He stopped just short of the lake - his toes were almost touching, the mower rolled over him and fell into lake. Someplace along the line, the mower hit his leg, causing a large spot where the skin was scraped off, and broke the small bone in his lower leg. I was not home at the time, so I was notified and came home to learn that he had been walking around, helping to get the mower out of the lake, etc. God's grace - yes. The mower could have hit him in the head, cut him seriously fell on him in the lake, etc. The keys, some of which are our personal ones, were on the counsel - when he finally stopped sliding, he picked up his head and saw the keys right in front of him and not in the lake also.  - the angels were certainly watching him that day.  I took him to his doctor, only to discover that she does not take workers comp cases, so just went to the ER - we were in and out in about 2 hours. The bone he broke was not a weight bearing one - the Dr said some people break theirs and never even know it. Now we have to see an orthopedic doctor tomorrow and deliver all the workers comp papers. It was sort of funny that in the ER, the Dr was almost shocked that it was a workers comp case - after all Fred is 75!!!! Today after church, we arrived back in the park when we heard a funny noise - the fan in the vehicle fell apart - probably from the heat we have here. Praise God that it happened after we were home in the park - another chore tomorrow as we go to the repair shop! As a result of all this excitement, we have had many visitors  causing this blog to be late today.

I have truly enjoyed working with the ladies on Friday - sewing our quilts or whatever project we all are working on. I finished the baby quilt for our new great grandson due in February, and learned that we have another great due in June! I  also am making a scrappy quilt for (my own enjoyment of sewing) to give as a gift. Guess I will be busy sewing.

Jaylen's quilt - not really a baby quilt but a youth size - one down, two to go (so far)

Even with Fred's leg in a splint, we have amazing friends who have stepped in and helped with the food distribution. Of course, Fred goes along to make sure everything is done correctly :-). We again fed about 90 families and are also collecting small hams for Christmas distribution.

We had a very relaxing Thanksgiving as we went to eat with friends - just relaxed over the meal. The chef was so very helpful and fixed a plate for Fred so I did not have to do so. I thought it was going to be a quiet day, but folks kept dropping in to see how he was doing - love the company of friends.

Today's sermon was so thought provoking: viewing the manger from the outside.  this series is based on the journeys people took to the manger - not only the physical place, but the social and cultural place. The magi were not Jewish, they were not from the area (it took them 2 years to follow the star to Bethlehem). They were not believers - had not studied the prophets, did not know that this was the spiritual Messiah. We all have our own locations from where we come. Everything looks different from the outside. The church we attend is beautiful from the outside - cathedral looking, huge, imposing. The sanctuary is actually n the gym - beautiful, but still in the gym. Quite different from outward appearances. Herod was also on the outside but looking for the manager born Messiah. He did not know when the star showed up, he did not know where Jesus was born. The Magi worshipped Jesus on their knees - when people encounter God, they worship in many different ways - on their knees, with their arms lifted high, flat on the ground. All people hear God in some way - the magi did not know God, but heard Him and  obeyed. We are on the inside while viewing the manger - we can minister to  those on the outside by welcoming them into the family of God.

Have a blessed week as we enter Advent and prepare for the birth of our Savior.