Brain- Picking....

This is not at ALL like nose-picking. And I should know...! (for those of you who remember my 5 Experience Day story from Ukraine!)

Julia encouraged me to move along to a new blog so that the string of comments would come to an end on my previous one. Hence, she still holds the title strong and true! It was a good discussion, though, and I hope we can continue bouncing that kind of helpful info off of one another. Also, thanks for the birthday well-wishes. I'm old now, and at the stage in life when birthdays don't feel very exciting anymore; usually get a little melancholy, to tell the truth. But Sonja sent me the BEST little e-card that gave me the greatest laugh! Thanks, friend

Back to brain-picking. I have all kinds of little things I'd like your ideas on. First, I always try to plan something for the special services on the church calendar: i.e. Mother's Day. The last few years I've pulled out my best stuff and I'm just coming up blank this year. I would like to find a really great reading or poem about Motherhood that's not just cliche' (I can't bear cliche') or even a nice idea for a dialogue/monologue or something. I think I'm going to share a song entitled The Blessing that I've also heard on the radio lately. It's not specifically about mothers but I like the message it sends. The predominant line in the song is "let it be said of us...." and then goes on to share about the legacy that we as Christians want to leave behind. I did the Nicole Nordiman "LEGACY" song for Father's Day last year, so this will be a nice build on that,I think. SO anyway, if you could send your brilliant brain-waves this direction, I would SO APPRECIATE it! Oh, I did think of one thing I may do. I found a collection of quotes entitled, "what have American presidents said about their mothers?". These are WONDERFUL one and two-liners by a whole host of former Presidents about their moms. I'm a presidential history junkie so I loved these. I thought I would have Derek put them into Powerpoint and have them scrolling on the overhead as people come in for Morning Worship. Whadya think?

Next, I'd like to share that my little sister became engaged on her 29th birthday! (two weeks ago). She was so excited and is planning for a fall wedding. I've been trying to help her with the planning in whatever way I can. She has a pretty good vision for what she'd like but could use some suggestions and fresh ideas too! Would any of you care to share what is your favorite unique thing you've seen done *or had done!* during a wedding ceremony or reception. Julia, I do know she's been looking more into the covenant side of marrriage. I told her that was your predominant "theme" so if you have any tidbits to pass on, she's appreciate that. And Marty, I think you're the only one I remember having taken communion (could be wrong about that), but if you have any ideas on that, great. But this is really open to you all: married and non. Favorite wedding ideas???

And to sum it up, I've been GREATLY enjoying the recipe exchange! Last Friday, I fixed Kayla's Ziti Melt and Heather's cappucinno muffins for dinner. My family did indeed arise and call me "BLESS-ED"!! I ended up having to make a second batch of those muffins on Sunday evening! Kim, these are to die for with a good cup of coffee! Anyway, I am getting ready to remove my pancake recipe and replace with something else. Just a warning if you want to print it off or anything! Back to ideas: I was thinking of hosting the Sunday Dinner on Mother's Day. My mom does it EVERY WEEK like I mentioned before. Serves an army every Sunday. She deserves a week off, doncha think?!? But now I think my Dad is gonna grill something to give us all off for the main dish. I'd like to do some side dishes that are really special though. Once I know what cut of meat we're grilling (t-bone, filet, etc.) I 'll pass it on if that will help. I really wanted to step it up from the typical casseroles: broccoli or green bean, etc. I want something unique and GOOOOOOOOD! Thanks for your ideas in advance.

Well, I hope you take this as a compliment for my deep confidence in all your brilliant minds and not that I'm a mind-less sponge!!!! I look forward to your responses, that I know we'll all benefit from.

Have a most excellent, delightful day!

p.s. I think I had left a couple of responses to people on my previous blog: this is where the blogging gets confusing. How to move from conversation to conversation and not waste a comment! Oy!