Susan Sinclair sends us this news about Dogwood Nazarene Church: We had a good service and dinner afterward on Sunday, though it was a little chilly, but it is January and is not surprising. Our board meeting went smoothly, in fact, several of the members commented on how wonderful it has been to have the Lord involved in the process and that we have had absolutely no disagreements about any part of the building process. It is recognized by all of the board that their desire is for the Good News of Jesus to get to the community and that each has set aside what the Bible calls ‘the flesh’ which is selfish motives, to join with the Holy Spirit’s work of telling the community that God loves them and Jesus is the way to having a relationship with God. Thank God for Jesus. If He had not gone to be with the Father, then we would not have the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives inside each believer in Christ. Thank God for the Holy Spirit. If our community realized how much Jesus loves them and what He has provided for us here and now, not just the heavenly benefits with God, hearts and minds would turn to God before the end of this sentence. If you have faith as a tiny grain of mustard seed, you can turn to God with your heart and speak of your faith in Jesus and the Holy Spirit will come and live with you and in you, and according to the Bible the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13) Not some truth, but all truth. The most basic truth of God for us to build our knowledge upon is that God Loves us, and He desires for us to love him and trust him. Everything we become in our walk with him depends upon that simple and beautiful Bible truth. When we read the Bible from that position, that God loves us, we will be more inclined to seek understanding, rather than disregard what the Bible says. I learned some time ago that if I did not understand a portion of the Bible, that I could rest on the foundation that God loves me, (and I love Him) and I could also understand that it takes time to learn, and that my relationship with God is most important. Until next time, God bless you and your loved ones.
Carol Boeddeker-Genet offers condolences and prayers for the family of Robert Pharris of Seymour, who died in Afghanistan from a roadside bomb. My grandson-in-law, Dan, is presently serving in Afghanistan and his safety is constant in our minds.
My son, Randy and his son, Randy “Pooh” came over Sunday evening to do a few “chores” for me, bless their hearts. When they came in they asked, “What’s for supper?” It didn’t take long to fix some pork chops, hash browns and peas. Then I offered them some lefse (Norwegian flat bread spread with butter, sugar and cinnamon, rolled up). Pooh had never had this before and enjoyed it. For us, it is a family treat going back generations. My nephew, Chad, sent the lefse from Fargo, North Dakota. Lefse at first looks much like a flour tortilla but it is made with potatoes. Either my grandmother or an aunt made lefse for our family gatherings as far back as I can recall. Unfortunately, I never learned this and don’t have a large enough griddle, nor the woodsticks necessary to flip the lefse on the griddle.
Tina Chriss, Regina Boeddeker and I were busy on Sunday before and after Mass getting parishioners signed up for photo sessions for a new pictorial directory. We’ll be doing this for the next few Sundays. This is a big undertaking for any church and requires a few volunteers. We are also discussing plans for St. Leo’s annual St. Patrick’s supper, which should be Thursday evening, March 17th and is open to the public. With help I prepare the potato soup from 50 pounds of potatoes and this takes a few hours to do and then haul it in to the church. Of course, we are hoping to have Irish stew as usual, many beverages, and the many wonderful desserts prepared by the ladies of the church.
Please pray for those of our community who are ill or having problems; pray for all of our military and for the victims of wars/terrorists – those who prey on others, those who place no value on the lives of others. May God bless you and may you be well.
