2009 Brickyard 400

Great Day at the Brickyard! We are so tired, but had a wonderful time. The best weather ever. We sat high in the third turn, and had a cool breeze most of the afternoon.

Brickyard 2009 Military Memory

Today we went to the 2009 Brickyard 400 here in Indy. I want to share with you a neat memory that we won't forget for a long time. I wish I was a good writer so that I could convey the beauty and encouragement of the scene that we saw today. This year our seats were across from the infield and we could see the people all sitting on the grass and watching the race. It caught my eye that a group of men in camo dress were walking together near the edge of the fence. What I saw next was much more interesting than the Nascar race. I saw people coming up to these military men to shake their hands. People were asking them to have their pictures taken with them. People were waving to them. I watched for quite a while. I thought back to days when people respected and honored those in the military. Maybe it's not so different today. It was really a wonderful sight. Young and old coming towards, or maybe just raising their hand in a gesture of thanks. I wish my photos were better, but wanted to share it with you.

Longaberger Dumpster Dive...

This is just the best! I won't forget this day for a long time. It started out as sort of a mission of mercy. A friend of mine cleans houses with her friend, and her friend was under the weather. I offered to help her clean today. I was looking forward to spending time together and being able to bless her.

On the way to clean the house this morning I had the most wonderful drive. I would never have imagined that driving across 116th St. between Carmel and Fishers at 7:30 am on a Friday morning could be so beautiful and enjoyable! The flowers on the Carmel side are just amazing. I even saw a yellow finch perched in the tall heather-like purple flowers! As I crossed the river it was foggy and the sun was coming through the fog in rays. It was beautiful! What a gift!

I arrived a few minutes before my friend. People were moving out of the house we were cleaning and there was a dumpster in the driveway. So, of course, I had to peek in to see if there was anything of interest. JACKPOT! There was some Longaberger baskets in there! I have not been a fan of the baskets for decorating...but I love them for their utility. I have received some as gifts....but I don't think I ever purchased one.

We did check to make sure that this really was a throw-away dumpster and we dived to get these three baskets and two pyrex lidded casseroles. As a pyrex collector I was so excited...also they are in two of my favorite colors! I couldn't get my friend to take any of the baskets. I think she just wanted me to be blessed with them. Enjoying God's creation, working with and enjoying a dear friend, and getting a super treat!

It was a God-Smile to me.

The Royal Law....

Found in scripture...."Love your neighbor as yourself." (James 2:8)

"but love your neighbor as yourself." (Lev. 19:18)

"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31)

"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Gal. 5:14)

"and Love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27b)

The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Luke 10:29

Jesus then tells the religious leaders the parable of the Good Samaritan.......



Then Jesus said, "...now go and do the same." (Luke 10:37b)

Count Your Blessings....

Pictures of the Rupp girl cousins singing "Count Your Blessings". June 20, 2009. A repeat performance from Grandma and Grandpa Rupp's 50th wedding anniversary circa 1960. Several of us "Outlaws" have been warmly welcomed to this amazing group of girl cousins.

Cousin Brenda is keeping an eye on cousin Linda...who is counting her blessings that she made it through the weddings of both of her daughters last year. One in July and one in December.
Cousin Delight is counting her blessings that her granddaugher is in the Miss Ohio contest this very night. Cousin Donna is counting her blessings that she is now retired from Nursing and finding more time to help others and do the things for the Lord that she loves to do.

We finally dragged Carma into the front row. She is the tiny one and was hiding.....note this next picture....

I still can't see cousin Marleen, she is behind someone in every picture! It is such a blessing to see the cousins! They are all so wonderful! And if I remember correctly this is just a little over half of them.

ABC's of the WORD..... "R"

"God reigns above the nations, sitting on His holy throne. The rulers of the world have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. For all the kings of the earth belong to God.

He is highly honored everywhere.

Psalm 47:8-9

(A great comfort in these times.)

It's Art to Me....

Just back it in so everyone can enjoy the view! That's what I'm talkin' about! Saw this today at the Post Office. Amazing Bronco! Andy, it was a real knock-out! (This is why I try to carry my camera every where I go.) The owner said that the man who did the make-over spent 45K w/o labor. Every thing on it is pristine. Lots of chrome...gas cap, etc, etc. Wish I had close up of the rivets over the wheel area......Kinda makes me homesick!

A Tale of Three Kings

I just finished reading a great book "A Tale of Three Kings" written by Gene Edwards. After a short conversation with our teaching pastor Stan this morning, he gave me a copy. The book is a comparison of the lives of Saul, David and Absalom. I just read 1 Samuel 14 in my daily devotions this morning I just can't stop thinking about Saul. This book is very thought provoking. It would be especially helpful to those who feel hurt by the church, or someone who has gone through a church split. The author calls it a study in brokeness.

"Are you so certain your king is a Saul and not a David that you are willing to take the position of God and go to war against your Saul? If so, then thank God you did not live in the days of crucifixtion. What, then, can you do? Very little. Perhaps nothing. However, the passing of time (and the behavior of your leader while that time passes) reveals a great deal about your leader. And the passing of time, and the way you react to that leader--be he David or Saul--reveals a great deal about you." Ch. 16

It seemed like a good idea....

1 Samuel 13. I just started reading in Samuel for my quiet time. Our teaching pastor Stan asked us to read in Samuel for the next few weeks. All day I have been thinking about Saul. He didn't obey God. He got anxious waiting for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices, so he took matters into his own hands and did it himself. His pride took over. This angered God and ruined Saul's life.



I have been thinking alot about how I often take things into my own hands instead of waiting for God. I wonder what I have missed by proudly going ahead on my own.



Doing what God says is more important than the battle itself. Saul was so concerned about the battle and his soldiers, that he forgot who he was fighting for.



http://www.nvcl.org/Carmel/Main.aspx?Page=This%20Week Link to our weekend service....will be posted 6/3/09.

Howlelujah....

Howlelujah, Howlelujah, Howlelujah, Howlelujah.....Charlie's favorite song.

Signs of Spring!

Playing House....

I'm a little disappointed with this picture, but I don't have time to redo! I picked the honey suckle, etc. this morning when we were on a walk and Leesa brought me the lilacs...smells heavenly! The pie is a peach "Schwan's". I forgot to move it into one of my pyrex pie plates before I baked it! If you let it set a few minutes before you put it in the oven you can re-crimp the edges and it will look homemade. I learned that from a friend who owns a Bed and Breakfast!

Having guests for lunch today, instead of cleaning I'm piddling around with this and that. After I saw Cousin Brenda's post, I wanted to take a minute and post my happy arrangments! In the lower picture is a cute 3 tiered vase that holds little stems of this and that.

One of the things I do.....

The monday after we have communion it is my job to clean up. The first time I did it I was trying to hurry through and I was very nervous that it seemed to take me a long time. The next time it went alot faster and better. Today was the third time and it was actually a joy. I tried to focus on Jesus and things about taking communion. I thought about things and words that have to do with taking communion. "This do in remembrance of me." Body the Bread, Blood the Cup. Drink ye all of it. The body of Christ broken for you. The blood of Christ shed for you. Do not partake in an unworthy manner.

As I stood at the sink and poured out the little glasses of juice I thought of all the times I drank the cup in an unworthy manner when my mind was elsewhere. It was just like pouring the wine down the sink. This is a special week, the week before Easter. A good time to think about these things. The body of Christ broken for me...take and eat...take and drink...

They look GREAT!

This is mom and dad a few weeks ago at Leesa's house. They just get cuter and cuter! And they are the BEST! What a great example they always are to me. Thanks mom and dad!

Following Christ....

How can we show our love for Christ this week?

Signs of Life

I recently finished the book "Signs of Life" by David Jeremiah. I didn't realize (when I borrowed it from the library) that it was a 40 day devotional. I really enjoyed it. It was very inspiring and convicting. If I were put on trial for being a child of Christ would there be enough evidence to convict me. Jeremiah used many stories and examples to make the book so interesting. I especially liked the examples of art and history. It would make a great resource for a Life Group. Shadow Mountain church used it for an all church campaign and ended with a large serving opportunity. The kind of campaign we did at Northview last year with "Life On Loan". I think I'll buy the book and go through it again!

We've been on vacation....

In the middle of February Mark and I went to Florida. We went to Treasure Island, Sunset Beach. It is a wonderful area, not too busy or commercial. The weather was cool and mild, but sunny. We just walked on the beach and rested, it was super!

This was the view from our porch. It was great to be right on the beach. It was mostly too cool to sit on the porch very long.......

It was so great to be at the beach. It is so beautiful and restful. It really made me think a lot about the greatness of God!

Happy Birthday Andy...27!

Leave Room For God

"When it pleased God..." Galatians 1:15

As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him--to give God "elbow room". We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected Him to come? Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for Him. The way to make room for Him is to expect Him to come, but not in a certain way. No matter how well we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that He may break in at any minute. We tend to overlook this element of surprise, yet God never works in any other way. Suddenly--God meets our life--"...when it pleased God..."

Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides. My Utmost for His Highest......Oswald Chambers

Cousin Brenda....Check this Out!!!

That's what I'm talking about! These are Indianapolis bowling shoes! No worry about taking these bad boys home!

Pretty in Pink

Here's Leesa, showing off her darling dog and pink consignment shop top.

Purpose Driven Life....

I'm starting the new year reading through "The Purpose Driven Life" again. I'm reading it as part of my morning quiet time with God. I also like to read "Face to Face" everyday. This book was given to me by my dear cousin Brenda. It is praying the scripture. I also read "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, I use the updated version. To round out my morning I read a chapter of Proverbs, the one that relates to the date....today I read chapter 22. By the way, I'm using the Holman Standard Version for my Proverbs reading. It was recommended by Beth Moore.

Beautiful Sunrise at Church

A beautiful morning on Wednesday, January 21. The sky was amazingly bright. I see a pretty sunrise almost every morning on my way to the church for work. A good excuse to start back

up on my blogging!