Red-hat ladies and Christianity

As I thought about my previous blog, I remembered the red-hat ladies. Groups of them were at the Mount Dora Craft Show. I think it would be fun to be part of a group at such an event and able to recognize others of the larger group who have a kinship even without knowing someone wearing similar garb. You'd glance up, see her/his clothing, give a friendly smile of "sister- brotherhood" and maybe even start a conversation based on commonality.

We have occasions of meeting with unfamiliar brethren of like faith from time to time. It was a joy for us to participate in the Spiritual Growth Workshop in Orlando soon after we arrived in Florida. The majority of the people in the Rosen Hotel seemed to Christians, carrying Bibles and wearing identifying nametags. How encouraging to be with thousands of Christians together in one place, to meet brothers and sisters I had not previously known, and to praise God together in the sessions. (I wondered if and hoped that our group presented themselves well to the hotel, exercising patience in the restaurants, etc.)

Folks in the Mount Dora church have shirts embroidered with a logo to wear at events where you'd want visitors or other folk to recognize that you are associated with the church and are there to give assistance or meet a need. We were given shirts to wear at the church's "Back to School Bash" in August so that children and parents from the neighborhood would recognize us as hosts. Bob and I wore ours to the Mount Dora Bible School chicken dinner Friday night to identify ourselves as the newbies at the MC church. I was sorry we didn't think to wear them to the "Church of Christ Night" at the Orlando Magic pre-season game recently.

There's a song on Christian radio currently by Steven Curtis Chapman called "The Change" that addresses the difference between having and using all the Christian paraphernalia, which the singer says is "all well and good," and "the change. . . the difference. . . the grace. . . forgiveness. . . a life that's showing I'm undergoing the change." He says, "I want to live a life that's showing I'm undergoing the change." The paraphernalia may have a good purpose, if only to remind us of who we are and Whose we are as we go about our normal routines. I liked wearing my WWJD bracelet to remind myself to act like the Christian that I am.

Wouldn't it be interesting, on several levels, if we wore identifying clothing or marks as Christians? In Bible story visuals, Jesus is always the man wearing white with a blue sash. Would the world recognize me as belonging to Him if I wore white with a blue sash? How about a fish tattoo or earrings? In Exodus 21, a slave who chose to stay a slave to his master had his ear pierced at the door or doorpost. What kind of sign could a Christian wear? I know I'd better be extra careful in my driving manners if my van is sporting some sort of identifying bumper sticker!

I know our lives should demonstrate that we are children of God and that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, but what in my daily life sets me apart from other people who act in "good" ways? I hope people who interact with me frequently know by my life and speech that I'm a Christian, but what about strangers? How can I make a difference in one small interaction that proclaims Christ? If I take an action that assists a stranger and he/she thanks me, why don't I remember to graciously remark, "I did it because of what Christ has done for me?"

I'm often tongue-tied in conversations with those I don't know well. But I want to verbalize my faith as well as demonstrate it. Since I can't wear a halo or have the Holy Spirit flash a neon sign near me as I go through my day, I'll just continue to pray for growth, awareness, greater spiritual maturity, and for the Holy Spirit to remind and encourage me to be more proactive in my daily interactions and speech (and maybe a mental image of myself in a red hat or blue sash).

Life in Mount Dora

Currently the weather in Florida is great! Windows wide open, breezy, cool at night. It rained last night, but it was perfect for Mount Dora's Craft Festival today. The main streets in downtown Mount Dora are closed to vehicle traffic. Craft booths lined the streets for - how do you count square blocks? - 5 blocks long, three blocks across. Food vendors (we had funnel cake and Loni bought a turkey leg, among other things), all sorts of crafts from pottery, jewelry, paintings and photographs to wood crafts, florals, and the cutest lawn ornaments made of PVC pipe type material. We arrived about 9:30 - crowds not too bad. We left about 1 and crowds were shoulder-to-shoulder, literally. If the person/group in front of you stopped, you weren't moving. Add strollers, wheel-chairs and groups of red-hat ladies (you can't miss their attire or enthusiasm) to the mix and enjoy the slow pace. Shops were open, too; Loni and I each bought another pair of Crocs (have to have a dark color for fall/winter, of course!) and touristy Mount Dora shirts for the boys. Dan, wait til you see what we got you! Lisa, you'll like yours, too. Lots of people opened their yards, if they had room for any cars, and let you pay them for the privilege of parking in their yard. We parked at the Bible school (donation) and rode the shuttle/school bus downtown. I bought some awkward-shaped items and then had to try to avoid impailing anyone! The popular item seemed to be pussy-willow branches - go figure.

Tonight, Bob and I "crashed the party" and joined the senior saints (the group needs a name, like PrimeTimers or something. I'll have to campaign for that) for a drive to another county (Webster, in Sumter County), way out in the middle of nowhere, to the "Speckled Butterbean." No lie! Cute little place. We had a good time, but I felt a little guilty that our large group was taking so much space and crowding the locals. Nice buffet with salad and dessert bars, ribs, pulled pork, fried chicken, boiled okra, several types of beans, a squash casserole, peach cobbler, more. I didn't want to be tempted to over-do so opted for a plate: rib-eye steak and baked potato. Bob had prime rib. On the bus on the way home we sang spontaneous hymns and oldies like "Oh, ____, do you love Jesus" (remember that one?), "Bicycle Built for Two" and silliness like "Found a peanut."

Change the clocks tonight - hurrah! An extra hour of sleep, if I head there now . . . .Sleep well.

Florida Trade-Offs

Adjusting to living in Florida has been interesting, so I think from time to time I'll reflect on bad news/good news or "trade-offs." Here are some I've been contemplating recently:
bad news: 90 degree temps in October
good news: still wearing Crocs and sandals (and no pantyhose either - oops! sorry guys, TMI !)

bad news: no autumn leaves and no leaf piles
good news: flowers (bougainvilleas and hibiscus) still in bloom and no yard-fulls of leaves to rake

bad news: too hot to camp in summer
good news: great camping weather in October!

bad news: my wardrobe isn't very suited to FL
good news: I've had to do shopping at end-of-season sales -- how sad

bad news: lots of traffic in town (Mount Dora) because of all the events and festivals
good news: lots to do with all the events and festivals

bad news: alligators in the lakes
good news: lots of lakes - beautiful - and lots of interesting wildlife, like "exotic" birds even in the retention ponds!

I'll add to the list as things occur. Feel free to add your Florida (or other locales) trade-offs.

My wonderful husband

To start off my new positive thinking process, I'd like to share some things that are great about my husband (I don't brag on him nearly often enough, like hardly ever, which is my neglect, not his lack of great qualities!)
Bob is patient, kind, generous, hospitable, thoughtful, warm, a wonderful Bible student (he's my personal Bible concordance!), sweet, handsome (even more at 50 something than he was at 20 something), easy-going, easy to please (loves my cooking, no matter what I cook!), a wonderful father and thoughtful husband, affectionate, willing to do housework, willing to do all the driving on long trips, a fabulous grandfather, good fire-builder (useful on camping trips), compassionate.

I gave Bob a card long ago which still holds true: he may not be the man I prayed for, but he's the answer to my prayers. God knew what I needed I'm grateful that God gave him to me and me to him. He's way more than I deserve! Thank you, Father. Thank you, Bob.

Beginnings

My husband, daughter and son blog, and I like to write, so I've decided to join the fun. Blogging seems to be a good way to keep a group informed, and it seems to be a good way to share deeper thoughts and ideas. I tend to be a rather pessimistic-natured individual, so I've chosen to "think on these things" as mentioned in Philippians 4 as my inspiration to stay focused positively rather than as a forum for my too-negative thoughts. Lisa's blog is full of stories of her darling boys and sometimes profound; Bob's is thoughtful and/or funny. I hope you'll check their's out. Trey mostly shares tiny pieces of himself on his blog, at least the blog I know about, so good luck with that! Stay in touch . . . . (And I'm almost fanatical about grammar and spelling, so feel free to correct me!)