Good morning on this cloudy Monday morning. I hope that your day has started out full of blessings and that you have already stopped and given thanks for them. 

First off, I want to say that when I’m wrong, I admit it. I have been whining, and grousing and dreading the six-hour Zoom session for my Boundary Training that was held Saturday. Well, I was all worked up for no reason. It was a really good session; probably the best one of those that I have had to attend. The topics were mostly about self care, care of our parishioners, social media use and things like that. The conversation and discussion was good and stayed off of the subjects that are currently being pushed down our throats by the denomination. So, thank you Missouri, Mid-South UCC Conference. Ya’ done good. And —- since attending is an every three year requirement, if my plans hold, it will be my last one until I finally fully retire. Being a “Lay-Licensed Minister” as opposed to an Ordained minister, once I retire, the associations have zero hold on me. 

Saturday, I finished cleaning up the north side of yard. I found a peony plant that I didn’t know was still there and I found three bird feeders that I had forgotten about. It really looks good through there now. I think I will move that peony soon. It doesn’t get any sun where it is. I have a couple of other to move too. 

I just had to order another 35 pounds of Bark Butter Bits for the Backyard Buffet. That took $99.99 out of a $100 dollar bill. The good news is that they delivery it and the shipping is free. I’m taking care to make sure I have that particular stuff because the Bluebirds love it and it appears they are staying around for awhile. I’m thrilled about that. The downside is the dang gaggle of starlings and blackbirds that also absolutely love it. But, if I have to feed them to also keep my Bluebirds, —- so be it. As Ms. Kate reminds me, — God made them too. Of course God also created a plague of locusts and I don’t want them either. 

Speaking of bugs — I keep reading and seeing news about the “17 year cicadas” that are supposed to be crawling up out of the ground and making their noise for a couple week weeks while they breed and lay their eggs and die. So far I haven’t heard any at all. I’m not sure when that is supposed to happen but I thought it was now. I don’t mind that sound at all. It is a good summer sound. 

I’m so very proud of my parish. The St. Lucas half of it will be celebrating their 100th anniversary in September. As a celebration, they decided to join with the Isaiah 117 project and buy 100 bicycles for foster-home kids. It would have cost us about $8,000.00 for the bike and helmet, I think I told you that. Yesterday, we topped $11,000.00 in collections. The congregation really stepped up and promoted it and have gotten large donations from corporations. I am frankly overwhelmed at how they have supported this project. 

That’s it for today. I hope you have a wonderful week. Peace.