Jesus in Disguise

I love Brandon Heath's song Jesus in Disguise. I heard on the radio that the song was based on a quote from Mother Teresa.

 

The dying, the cripple, the mental, the unwanted, the unloved

 they are Jesus in disguise. ~Mother Teresa

 

I happened to look it up on Friday so it was on my mind. Fast forward to Sunday morning. I listened to some of James Merritt's sermon and it was from one of my favorite passages Deuteronomy 6:5-9  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

His emphasis was ALL. We are to love God with ALL our heart, soul and strength.

 

So, I've always heard that a gage of how much we love God

is how much we love and treat people.

 

There was this guy in church Sunday. He had been there before. He used to come on Wednesdays a few years ago. He wore a back brace and was all humped over. He was...how shall I say it? Weird...he was weird. So, he was at church sitting where we normally sit. Not that that is a problem. Tim had moved to the back. When we were singing I could see him well since I was with the choir. I saw him moving his hands, etc. I just diverted my eyes. We finished singing and I went to sit down. It wasn't long until this guy was talking out loud while Tommy was preaching. I thought maybe he was reading his Bible. I got irritated to say the least. He was distracting. I can't imagine how the woman sitting in front of him felt. I wrote Tim a note and said if I was sitting there I would go mad! he had all these pieces of paper written all over. He would talk then be quiet and seem to be listening then crank up again. Thank goodness Tommy was loud. Then I thought of the quote...the dying, the cripple, the mental. Jesus in disguise. Wow!! Not only was I distracted and irritated by this guy, I was indignant. Seriously, the only way to describe his behavior was rude or something wasn't quite right with him. So, I'm thinking the "mental" fit him and I didn't have an ounce of compassion because he bothered me. So, back to James Merritt's message I had just heard that morning. I was supposed to love God with ALL my heart, soul and strength. That included the strange guy at church. I realized quickly I have a long long way to go........... Don't get me wrong. I did go shake this guy's hand after church and tell him I was glad to see him at church. But I told Tim if he comes next week and I am sitting close to him I might have to shoosh him like a sweet little old granny would do. ;)

 

 

 

These pictures have nothing to do with my story but I did want to post them. They are from a recent drive to Flag Rock, High Knob and Bark camp Lake. Ahhh, how I love a drive along country roads away from everything. This is just what we needed that day and it was perfect weather! It was so quiet at Bark camp Lake. The only thing we could hear was water rushing through a drain at the end of the lake. I don't know the last time I was somewhere so quiet. I hope we can drive back up during the fall to view the leaves.

 

View from Flag Rock.



Tim spotted this chesnut tree. Too bad it was too far down the hill to reach.

Connector forest road.
 

 

We enjoyed a sandwich at a picnic table with a view of Bark Camp Lake.

 

Bark Camp Lake

 

 

 

Estate Sale

Wouldn't you know that while we were gone to Cincinnati there was an estate sale right across the hill that started Saturday? Estate sales are a rarity around here so to have one a hop, skip and a jump from my house is super rare!! So, we went on Sunday. We could definitely tell it was picked over but after a couple of walk thrus we still found plenty. Plus the man conducting the sale said he would work with us on prices. Cha ching! Gotta love the second day of an estate sale. I'm not going to think about what we missed out on.

There wasn't anyone there so we were able to chit chat with the man conducting the sale. I always like to chat people up. We found out he had done the sale we went to in Big Stone Gap recently. I gave him my email address so I can be contacted for the next one.

A frame, a couple of books, silver plated tray, wooden rolling pin, a couple of wooden cutting boards, a white bowl, a Pyrex refrigerator container, a small white dish, an old ice cream scoop (Tim remembers Granny having one like it), skewers, pie plate, loaf pan, glass measuring cup (the measurements had faded but for so cheap I thought it would be perfect for melting stuff in the microwave and having a pour spout), a juice reamer and six boopie glasses.

I bought a reamer at an another estate sale last year but just so happened Sarah and I had been talking about juicing lemons recently so I picked it up for her. It was priced $5 but we got it for less.

I was so happy to find more boopie glass. These six glasses were priced $5 too but obviously we aid less. I have seen one small dessert glass priced $2.25 at an estate sale and $8 in an antique store in Manassas. So, I would have been happy to pay $5. These are larger than the three sizes that came out of Granny's attic. So, now I have four different sizes. I think because we got Granny's boopie glasses I'll always be on the hunt for it.  

I've always wanted a wooden rolling pin so I was happy to find this one. I've been seeing a lot of cutting boards around the Internet and I like the look of them leaning in a kitchen so was happy to find these for a dollar each.

We paid $22 for everything. When we got home I added everything up and it was originally $37. Not bad. Now I am looking forward to the next sale!!

Cincy Weekend Part 2

Haha, how's that for a creative title?

After Friday's game we were able to witness something that had never been done before. Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman had bet someone earlier in the season if the Reds won ten games in a row he would shave his head. Well, win they did!! So, he challenges people to raise $20,000 for charity and he would have it done in front of the crown after Friday's game. They made it a pretty big deal. Members of his family were there and other folks on the field.

We were watching from a spot where some people got in front of us so we started walking to the car forgoing watching the Friday fireworks but stopped to watch the spectacle on the t.v. In all, $50,000 was raised and a celebrity who shall not be named because I don't particularly like him matched it so a total of $100,000 was raised for the Reds Community Fund. Now, that is impressive. Guess, it was worth it to Marty!



Like I said, we didn't stay for the fireworks so luckily missed most of the traffic exiting the game.

The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. We used to park over in Covington, Kentucky and walk across to Cincinnati sometimes. I would like to do that again.

We were able to swing by Steak and Shake for something to eat and get back to the motel in time to watch all the coverage of Marty getting his head shaved.

The next day we slept in and didn't get out until eleven. I really wanted to go to the Worlds Longest Yard Sale at MainStrasse Village in Covington but since it was supposed to be in the upper 90's decided against it. Considering we were going to be outside at the game we thought air conditioned places might be best. We really didn't have a plan but ended up at Dicks, Walmart, Walgreens (buying moleskin for a blister...story of my life) and then driving around trying to find a Goodwill we could see from the Interstate. After two peoples sketchy directions we finally found it ourselves. Three empty frames for me and a couple of tee shirts for Seth later we headed into Cincinnati to find the Urban Outfitters. Of course we didn't know the directions but knew it was close to the University of Cincinnati. Seth looked it up on his phone and we exited on the correct exit but then of course it took awhile to actually find it. Let's see, driving around the inner city. Not for me. Thank goodness Tim was a trouper. He accidentally went up a one way street only once! We eventually found it, parked and went in. It is in an old church building. Seems wrong. I remember calling Urban Outfitters once to tell them to stop sending me their catalog because it was so offensive. The store-same thing. Jen would have liked it though.

After we left the store we drove around a bit more and went through a neighborhood of gorgeous older homes. They were the kind of homes we imagined the owner of the Reds would live in. Because we didn't want to pay to park and walk somewhere in the city to eat we drove back over on the Kentucky side and ate a late lunch before heading back over to the Ohio side again for the ballgame. The temperature heading to the game was 98 degrees. Hot much?

It was much more crowded before the Saturday game. We wanted to get there early to get our Johnny Cueto bobble heads. They gave out twenty five thousand and we were concerned we wouldn't get one if we didn't arrive early. Ha! Well, actually, we're just used to getting to the ballpark early.

We went around to the side where it was shaded though to get in line. 

We got a good view of the Great American Tower at Queen City Square from that side.

We got our bobble heads and went in to wait two hours for the game to start. Remember the temperature driving to the park? Yeah, and it was a lot more humid. It made for an uncomfortable two hours. Well, actually, it made for an uncomfortable few hours. there was a better breeze though and luckily it was overcast again. Thank goodness!

Mike Leake pitched. Let's just say I think Tim was right when he said he's the weak link. Not the best outing but the Reds won anyway!!



I put my camera away after I took these pictures of Mike Leake. It was hot and I just wanted to enjoy watching the game. Thank goodness they won so it made sitting at the hot humid game worth it!!

We decided no more August games for now on. We're thinking spring and fall are the best times to come. Guess, we'll see next year!

Cincinnati Weekend

We finally made it to Cincinnati over the weekend. I had tentatively planned to go to the St. Louis series in July because it was the same weekend as a flea market in Burlington, Kentucky but it didn't work out. This was a much better series with the Pittsburgh Pirates but no flea. Oh well, maybe next year. The Reds were in first place in the Central and the Pirates 3.5 games back going into the series. So, obviously a big series. It didn't disappoint.

We left Friday morning and made great time. Seth slept most of the way and missed lunch so we ordered a pizza before even going to the ballpark. this worked out perfectly since the food at Great American is just so so. I thought the gates opened two hours before the game so we left for the ballpark around 4:30.

One of my favorite views. Rounding the curve with the city in view.

The Cincinnati skyline has changed a lot in the twenty years we have been visiting.

Crossing the Ohio River.

We got there before five o'clock but the gates didn't open until 5:30 so we waited. We're used to getting to the ball game before the gates open. It was good to see a crowd already gathered too!

We made our way in, watched the Pirates' batting practice and found our seats. For the first time Seth didn't go to get any autographs. The lineup for Friday's game. Notice: no Votto (DL after knee surgery), no Phillips (injured calf), and no Bruce (terrible stats against the left handed pitcher.) Hmmm, I wasn't sure if the Reds could win without their best players.

It was pretty hot but there was a slight breeze occasionally. Thank goodness for the glorious clouds!!

The breeze off the river was great but it was pretty much blocked from our seats.

When the sun did appear for a few minutes before the game started I walked around to watch some of Reds Live. We pretty much watch this most nights before the games so it was interesting to see it taped live.

Our seats were in the outfield so we had a good view of the outfield players. Both games we went to were sell outs! The Pirates best player Andrew McCutchen played center field.

Luckily, the Reds pitching shut him down and he wasn't a factor in the series.

Mat Latos pitched for the Reds. And pitch he did.

Chris Heisey hit an in the park home run which is almost unheard of in Great American. This made the score 1-0.

Mat Latos pitched well. Every time a Reds' pitcher struck out a player fire came out of the smoke stacks.

Not only did Mat Latos pitch well but he hit a  two run home run!!

Luckily, we got to see Aroldis Chapman come in to save the game.

One of his pitches was 102 miles per hour!

And this one belongs to the Reds!!

Casting Crowns

We went to a Casting Crowns concert Thursday night. It was at the David J. Prior Convocation Center at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. How fortunate we are to have such a nice facility in our area now. This was the first time we had been to it. It was also the first time attending a concert. Well, kinda. The kids and I did go see Martina McBride at Dollywood early in her career and I have seen other Christian artists at women's conferences. Oh yeah, and there was the time we saw Mercy Me at Faith Day after a Reds game. So, I guess it wasn't our first concert, but it felt like it was.

Anyway, we enjoyed it and hope to get tickets to the next one. Brandon Heath and Matt Maher are planning to come but the date hasn't been set yet. I would love to see both of them too.

I didn't take any pictures at the concert but I snagged this one from Tiffany.

Living in such a small area is such a blessing. It was nice to go to the concert and every time we turned around we knew other people. What a great atmosphere!! Just like a church service...a LOUD church service.

Monday Visitors

Heather and Amie are teaching summer gymnastics classes on Mondays so all four kids came out to stay with me this week while they were at class.

I had doubled my pizza dough recipe on Saturday so I would have plenty for four little pizzas on Monday. I let each one form their own crust on the pan.

Even the three year olds were able to make theirs with a little help.

We baked it for a few minutes, then added our sauce, pepperoni and cheese.

Bailee's finished pizza!

She was so proud. And she ate every bite except one piece she gave to Cayden since as soon as we went out, he promptly dropped his on the porch floor. I made him another one. So, everyone shared theirs with him until it was ready.

After we ate a brownie left over from the family reunion we cleaned up and headed upstairs to Sarah's room where all my scrapbooking supplies are. We drug out some of it. I couldn't find everything I was looking for but we found enough to make some "art."

Ean got bored the quickest, but he was still good and liked laying on the window seat.

Elijah made a banner with pennants for his room.

Cayden did too.

We only had one meltdown while they were here and it was from Bailee. Surprise. She got over it and then glued glitter and flowers to a piece of scrapbook paper.

Thank goodness the dogs were good while they were here. Once they got used to them they weren't bad at all. Gabby made her way to her favorite spot under Sarah's bed.

They walked home around three o'clock, not before one last picture.

Shew, I was worn out after they left. Physically and mentally. :) Hopefully, they'll come back out and hang out soon though.