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You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.

1 Peter 1:17 (The Message)

Morning Colors

Monday, January 4

Traveling home from Maine

We started out early – shortly before 7:00 a.m. – when the moon was still in the sky.

It wasn’t long before we started catching glimpses of the sunrise over the inlets in the Portland area.

These are all “drive-by shootings” – and because we are traveling south, these were all taken through the driver’s side window – and I am sitting on the passenger side.

Probably my favorite morning shot.

The clouds and rising sun caused a variety of patterns in the sky.

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.

Matthew 6:33 (The Message)

A Relaxing Afternoon

Sunday, January 3

Following our house church, Diane served a delicious roast turkey dinner.

Remember the beautiful chocolate cake from Diane’s birthday party a few days earlier? This is what it looked like on the inside.

Nathaniel prepared the truck for his snowmobiling trip. His friends were on their way to Maine from Pennsylvania, and planned to meet him later in the afternoon.

We played games after Nathaniel left, but it wasn’t as much fun for Abigail, as when he was by her side.

Notice Diane’s cell phone. She was on “high alert” to be at the birth of a young couple’s baby. She got the call just before supper, and was pleased to get to the hospital just in time for the birth of Gideon.

Lydia was pleased with the online scrapbook I made for her so she can remember her summer with us. The cover photo is from cousins’ week.

We had a quiet evening, with everyone going to bed early in anticipation of Monday morning jobs or Curves before a job – and we planned to leave for home by 7:00 a.m.

Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:18-19 (The Message)

House Church in Snowy Maine

Sunday, January 3

~~~

After Hezekiah and I got back from our walk, and everyone had breakfast, Mark invited the family to the living room for a one-hour hymn sing.

We sang acapella, so Mark used a pitch pipe.

 Lydia and Mark

This was a roomful of talented singers – except me (I am the only one of the eleven who cannot carry a tune.)

Mark is a song leader at their church in Maine, and Nathaniel leads singing in our home church.

Josiah and Cerwin

 Abigail and Nathaniel

This grandma was blessed as she listened to the beautiful songs. During one song I asked for only the girls to sing – then the guys. It was beautiful.

It was a comfortable, peaceful setting.

The colored markers indicate songs the Myers’ have studied – how and why the song was written and put to music. At one point they asked me to read one of the stories behind a song.

 Elizabeth and Hezekiah

 Cerwin and Hannah

 Hannah, Lydia, Mark, and Diane

 Socks and bare feet were acceptable in this church.

When asked to request a song, my eyes fell on this page. It seemed an appropriate song to sing on a day in which we were snowbound.

Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.

Ephesians 5:10 (The Message)

Maine’s Winter Wonderland

Part III

Sunday, January 3

Enjoy the last part of my Sunday morning walk…

 If you look closely, you will see a house.

 A narrow road that leads to the inlet.

 It looks like a few turkey visited here just ahead of us. We looked and looked, but could not find them. This is where we turned around to head home, and discovered that walking this direction was going to be much colder, because the wind was now in our face.

 I think we are being watched.

Back home with my personal bodyguard and walking buddy

Hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows was a perfect way to get warm.

~~~

Tomorrow night: “Home Church” at the Myers

~~~

Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.

Colossians 3:12 (The Message)

Snow Pictures

Part II

Sunday, January 3

This entry is a continuation of my Sunday morning walk in eastern Maine.

Just after crossing Route 1, I heard footsteps behind me and turned around to see Hezekiah. I invited him to join me and be my bodyguard.

We saw fabulous scenes

We hadn’t gone far when we met Josiah, who was heading home after opening a neighbor’s driveway.

There will be little need for commentary for the next few pictures.

…and I’m not finished yet! There will be more pictures tomorrow night.