Brrrr!

Life is busy and not boring but I don't have much to write about except the weather. We've had a bit of snow, an inch of rain, wind and below average temperatures not necessarily in that order but I'm not going into delve into details--you already know them.

I attended a baby shower for our church's DCE yesterday afternoon. It's been years since I have been to a baby shower but a week ago I shopped for a gift. All the guests were invited to guess the number of teaspoons of salt and the number of M&Ms in a baby bottle. We enjoyed fruit salad, cupcakes, and a delicious punch drink and the choice of a few other goodies. The committee planned a lovely event for this first-time mother.

A variety of table coverings made for a colorful setting

The centerpiece was based on Sarah's favorite
scripture verse: Matthew 5:13

Opening all gifts took quite a while but she sure looks happy

Before the gifts were opened, the results of the baby bottle contest were announced. Who was more surprised than me? I won the bottle of salt with a guess of 72 teaspoons.

Today I emptied the salt and
presented the bottle to Sarah

Next Sunday is Super Bowl LIII and it appears now that we'll be watching at home alone. For the first time in more years than I can count, the tradition we have enjoyed watching the game with friends is ending. Several years ago two couples moved out of state and the remaining couple has proposed changing to a lunch date after the game. We'll be watching but we're not sure who to root for--the Patriots or the Rams. Of course, watching the commercials can also be entertaining and fun. Also, there's the half-time show that might be worthwhile. Here's to a close and competitive game.

A Real Snow Event!

The first real snowfall of the season adds some brightness to the landscape and a chance to hibernate for a short while. We had more than four inches, but yesterday shortly after breakfast we decided to make the short trip to purchase one item I needed to make a pot of chili for the chili cookoff this evening at Concordia. First, we had to brush off several inches of snow from the car and traverse slippery streets. However, traffic was light and when we reached the store, only a few cars were in the lot. The cashiers were standing around since there were no customers. We made our purchase and headed home to enjoy watching the snowfall from the comfort of our living room.

The mallard ducks found a thin crack in the ice--
their swim was like a polar bear plunge

We were reminded how weather can change in a few hours or a day. Last Tuesday we had 50 degrees or maybe even higher. The next day was very windy and cold. Ray checked the mailbox three times adventuring out in the less than favorable conditions and after his last trip, he quipped "Let's move to the Florida Panhandle!" I didn't take him seriously.

This morning we were expecting a guest preacher from Seymour, IN for our worship service but he phoned the head Elder about 6 a.m. that the Highway Patrol suggested he not make the trip due to the condition of I-65. Without a backup in mind, the second person the Elder contacted was able to come to conduct the service. Our substitute preacher is an ordained minister but doesn't serve a parish as he is a chaplain for the State Highway Patrol and when he's not on duty worships with us and his wife and daughter. He has never conducted a service for us. There were a few minor glitches but his sermon was in line with the theme of the day: The Baptism of Jesus. By the time I headed home the roads were remarkably improved and very dry.

The Colt's loss to Kansas City, 31-13, yesterday afternoon was disappointing. KC is obviously a very talented team and played exceptionally well and deserved the win. I believe the Colts are actually better than what we saw and it's a team that we can expect to do well for the next several years.

It's nearly the middle of January and we can expect some cold weather and a brisk week ahead. Spring is still about two months away but there's plenty to occupy my mind and keep me busy until then.

Epiphany

The timing was perfect for worship this morning as Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, and doesn't often fall on a Sunday. For several weeks I worked on a new banner to replace the one that was showing its age. The Chrismon tree was still standing so it made for a beautiful setting.

Chrismon Tree with Epiphany banner

Today also is the 68th wedding anniversary of my sister-in-law and brother-in-law! Bob celebrated his 92nd birthday in November and Veronica turns 89 in July. We stayed overnight with them last November when we attended the wedding of a great nephew. They are both doing well. Bob uses a walker following a broken leg early last year. Veronica traveled with her granddaughter Rebecca to Iceland last summer. We only hope that we can do as well when we near that age.

Our New Year's Eve was simple and quiet. We were even asleep before the new year arrived. We joined quite a few Pickleball players on New Year's Day at the Baxter Y for two hours of play. Since there were so many that decided to get in some exercise, playing time was limited as we had to wait our turn. 

Yesterday was a fun win for the Indianapolis Colts as they defeated the Houston Texans 21-7 in a Wild Card game and now will play Kansas City next Saturday. Can they get another win?