Wow, it's been a while since writing...I guess we returned from vacation and have done some of this, that, and the other thing since returning. That's what's great about summer, right? The days pass by without the "schedule pressure" often present during the other nine months of the year. Our summer preaching series at church is on the Psalms and it has been thought-provoking and refreshing for me. Pastor Chris includes a weekly devotional on the back, which brings home the truths even more. We have lost appreciation for the beauty of poetry, which is exactly what the Pslams are.
In other news, we came home to a brand new bathroom!!! We had hired a contractor friend to remove our old (rusty) ceramic tub, tiles, and flooring and replace with fresh of all plus trim around the window. He was almost finished with everything when we returned. If bathrooms can be beautiful, it truly was. It gleams. Ken painted last week - I picked a fresh, light, clean shade of green - like celery, perhaps. It matches well with our shower curtain. Sometime I will post a picture of our new bathroom. Why is it easier to TAKE the pictures with the digital camera than it is to download, etc.? My first shower was quite long as I basked in the gleaming tiles, new tub, etc. Our KC water has its share of lime, etc...thankfully here we do not have rust in the water, as many nearby homes do.
We purchased the same linoleum for the kitchen as the bathroom, as that was also in dire need of replacement. Ken and Cliff worked together last Monday tearing up old (I am NOT, repeat NOT a fan of the cheap 12" x 12" peel and stick tiles from the big box stores, which is what we had for many years. Ugh!!) and putting in new. It is such a nice, nice change.
For some time, our kids have been counting the "night's sleeps" until VBS! This year's theme is a spy theme and it takes place during mornings this coming week. They are very eager to go! Seth keeps saying he wants to go to "PDS" (his version of saying VBS) and "I don't want to play with toys - I want to go to cwass like Sissy." Oh dear. Hopefully that won't be too big of an issue, though he does get to experience the music and stories of the older children. I am glad they are excited about this special week of learning about and experiencing God with many other kids. We are praying for an impacting week for children in our church and community.
I had the opportunity to pay the offertory in church this morning. OOPS! Freudian slip - actually, that was PLAY the offertory! :) I chose one of the same pieces I played for a wedding last weekend. (everything about it was beautiful, Christina, but most of all the hearts of the bride and groom) The piece is arranged with one of Chopin's etudes and combined makes a lovely, reflective version of "I Love You, Lord" and "Father, We Love You." Playing it during first service on a warm, quiet summer morning was a treasure. I sure love to play the piano - all types and varieties of music, but more than anything I love to play Christian music that turns my heart toward God. It is always my prayer that the truth of the music I play will speak to my heart the hearts of those listening. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the years and money spent in my piano training. It has been one of the most valuable things you could ever have spent money on for me. I wonder if my Mom plays the piano in heaven? Perhaps one day we can play duets together, which we didn't get to do enough of when she was here.
Have a lovely summer week. Take time to reflect on how much God has blessed you during these long summer days.
Love,
Rhonda
2 comments:
I, too, am glad for all those years of music lessons that my parents gave me. My mom was a trumpeter, Rhonda, so maybe our moms are playing duets together in heaven and looking forward to the day when their daughters get to make it a quartet! Hmmm...piano, trumpet, clarinet, violin quartet. That just might work.
Glad you're having a great summer.
Love, Amy
Rhonda,
Sounds like the Vanderwest home has been from Bad Peal and Stick,to construction, and back to beautiful! I can't wait to see it, hopefully you'll be able to get a picture up. Jared and I have been having a few construction jobs as well. A new Garage Door opener, some small bathroom issues, we have to find a new front door, and he's trying to put Plywood around the garage walls so the insulation doesn't show. All the Fun of being a home owner right!? But the projects keep us busy.
I'm glad that the kids enjoyed VBS so much. i really think it was a good program this year. Sounds like so much fun. Seth, i'm sure will love things like that when he's old enough to go. He's such a busy body anyway.
I too enjoyed your playing last week and i had to smile big because you choose a "pretty Song" from my wedding. That stuff always gets me! I love that the feel is so reflective. i think far too often in today's society we forget to reflect and as a result we become hardened people who forget to feel. Thanks for always playing with such passion that just screams, "listen Up!" I love to hear you play. Those lessons sure did pay off!
Glad you're doing well. Press on and i'll see you soon.
God Bless,
-Christina
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