I am so incredibly blessed by Sarasota Christian Church.  Being here is just wonderful.  They love me and remember me (even though it's been 2 years since I was here) and bless me in so many ways!  On Sunday, I spoke in both services.  I got to do the communion meditation in second service, which was a real treat for me.  My Grandpa said he can't remember a woman ever doing the communion meditation before, so it was very special.  I also used my inspiration from my favorite communion meditation of all time.  Yep, I have a favorite communion meditation.  How many of them do you remember?  Anyhow, this is one I heard about 12 years ago, at my home church in Indianapolis.  Charlie Coon did it and he talked about the TV show Cheers and how when someone you knew walked it, you raised your glass to him or her.  It showed the joy you had.  We all held the cup and raised our glasses to Jesus before drinking together.  So, I have been waiting for 12 years to use this same idea in a communion meditation.  I never watched Cheers to know enough about it to speak, so I insted used the imagery of a toast at a party.  You do it to honor, celebrate and brag on the guest of honor.  Jesus is our guest of honor, not only in our church services, but also in our lives.  Typically at SCC, they drink as the cup is passed, so this required some special instruction.  I think it went well.  I know people were commenting on how different it was.  I just love the idea of toasting Jesus and thanking him for giving us so much.  And, I really like to drink the cup in unison because it just means more to me to do that together with my fellow believers. 

So, back to how SCC blesses me.  At the end of 2nd service on Sunday, I had already headed out to the lobby so I'd be there at my little display when people came out.  What I didn't know is that they needed me up front!  I came up and they gave me a special gift of $500!!!  I was so incredibly surprised.  This is such a great church and I'm so blessed to have them as my supporters. 

Monday night, I spoke to the Young at Heart pitch-in (and Lee's Bible study) and that was a treat.  Those women can COOK.  YUMMY food, time with friends, making contacts with people who live in Lexington, and a great time of laughing.  They also blessed me with a gift of $50.  I love that group and it's so good to be a part of them every time I'm there. 

Today, my parents came back up to Sarasota and retrieved me.  We stopped at Siesta Key Beach before the rain hit.  It was cloudy and windy, but still great to walk on the sand and get some shells.  Here's a few pics to make you jealous. 

It was a cool, cloudy and windy day, but still beautiful.

Pretty toes!  I especially like how you can see my flip flop line.  I got that on Sunday!

My hair is going crazy, but I love this picture.  Yay for the beach! 

I am so incredibly blessed by Sarasota Christian Church.  Being here is just wonderful.  They love me and remember me (even though it's been 2 years since I was here) and bless me in so many ways!  On Sunday, I spoke in both services.  I got to do the communion meditation in second service, which was a real treat for me.  My Grandpa said he can't remember a woman ever doing the communion meditation before, so it was very special.  I also used my inspiration from my favorite communion meditation of all time.  Yep, I have a favorite communion meditation.  How many of them do you remember?  Anyhow, this is one I heard about 12 years ago, at my home church in Indianapolis.  Charlie Coon did it and he talked about the TV show Cheers and how when someone you knew walked it, you raised your glass to him or her.  It showed the joy you had.  We all held the cup and raised our glasses to Jesus before drinking together.  So, I have been waiting for 12 years to use this same idea in a communion meditation.  I never watched Cheers to know enough about it to speak, so I insted used the imagery of a toast at a party.  You do it to honor, celebrate and brag on the guest of honor.  Jesus is our guest of honor, not only in our church services, but also in our lives.  Typically at SCC, they drink as the cup is passed, so this required some special instruction.  I think it went well.  I know people were commenting on how different it was.  I just love the idea of toasting Jesus and thanking him for giving us so much.  And, I really like to drink the cup in unison because it just means more to me to do that together with my fellow believers. 

So, back to how SCC blesses me.  At the end of 2nd service on Sunday, I had already headed out to the lobby so I'd be there at my little display when people came out.  What I didn't know is that they needed me up front!  I came up and they gave me a special gift of $500!!!  I was so incredibly surprised.  This is such a great church and I'm so blessed to have them as my supporters. 

Monday night, I spoke to the Young at Heart pitch-in (and Lee's Bible study) and that was a treat.  Those women can COOK.  YUMMY food, time with friends, making contacts with people who live in Lexington, and a great time of laughing.  They also blessed me with a gift of $50.  I love that group and it's so good to be a part of them every time I'm there. 

Today, my parents came back up to Sarasota and retrieved me.  We stopped at Siesta Key Beach before the rain hit.  It was cloudy and windy, but still great to walk on the sand and get some shells.  Here's a few pics to make you jealous. 

Yeah, I know, I've been a slacker and haven't updated my blog in a long time.  But, it's a new year and I'm going to be better at all of this.  Promise. 

I have to say that I'm super excited about 2009.  2008 was, well, pretty much all over the place.  It was great, it was wretched, it was okay, and it finished on a high note.  I'm just thankful that I survived 2008.  And not just survived, but I think I learned to thrive again.  I'm happy, I find myself singing or humming in doing every day things, I smile and laugh a lot, and I am just really enjoying life.  It's good to be at a place where I can do that. 

Looking ahead to 2009, I think it will be a great year.  January is a packed month:  Launch training for new missionaries next week, then I head to Florida to see my supporting church next Saturday, I get back and go to a specialized interpersonal skills workshop the next day (along with like 8 other people from my office), and then finally come home on Friday the 23rd.  Whew!  February will be anothre busy, but good month.  I have a friend's wedding, my 28th birthday, and I'm heading to Knoxville for Homecoming at Johnson.  Should be a lot of fun!  My friend Heather and I are staying in the boys' dorm where they have guest housing, so that will be great. 

Sometime this year, we'll finally get to move to Emerald Hills, too.  Stupid LG&E is being ridiculous about getting our power hooked up.  This time, it was that they didn't have the right tool.  Seriously?  Come on, you're an electric company and you do these things all the time!  Argh.  They've delayed us for the last 6 weeks on this and we're all pretty frustrated.  We can't do anything else until we get power and heat.  Painting, clearcoating, staining, installing carpet and tile...we need heat to do all of that.  Lord willing, we'll be moving in the first of March.  Please Jesus!  Let that happen!

Hope you all enjoyed the holiday season!