Sledding and Other Weekend Activities

Plans for a viewing of The Golden Compass were scuttled on Friday by an invitation to go sledding. So around 8 p.m., Steve and I bundled up and headed out to Vernon Hills' Century Park Sledding Hill. There we met up with Crap Chip, Sarah, Anthony, and Leslie, and were later joined by Dianne, Catherine, and a bunch of Crap Chip's college friends. The hill, homemade like Carmichael's in the Central Ohio Creation Story, overlooks Bear Lake. In fact, brave souls who are not burdened by scruples about safety or obeying park district signs can increase the excitement of their sledding by going down the very steep backside of the hill toward the lake. The view from the top isn't too bad at night. It was approximately 7-8 years since the last time I went sledding, but it's pretty easy. C squared had brought several sleds of various shapes. We had a good time and even attempted a couple of 8 man chains that could have been more successful but were fun nevertheless. A good time appeared to have been had by all. I confirmed my memory from Olaf that the face can be an effective brake for a sled but not a pleasant one. Still no one was damaged in any lasting way. There was talk of gaming or going out after the adventure but Steve and I headed home where we watched A Midsummer's Night's Dream. Very fun movie.

Saturday was a day for staying in. I puttered happily and did some laundery. I also entered the last of my books onto Librarything.com. If anyone wants to know what books I've got they can look here. My library's still got some work that needs to be done, but all the books are there now. Much later Steve and I joined Sarah, Aaron, and Andrew for a game of Killer Bunnies. That was fun, especially as I had a good chance to win at the end. Unfortunately Steve pulled it. He must be stopped.

Sunday was full of its usual churchy goodness. Eric is giving us a two week series on Haggai to lead into Christmas. Not your usual advent choice but a good thing for our church in the place we're in. Eric focused mainly on chapter one. He discussed the dangers of trying to sit to the side during a time of adversity: anger, disillusionment, discouragement, and apathy. He also looked at the hidden dangers of making excuses: a loss of passion for God and pouring ourselves into worldly things instead of working for the Kingdom. He also talked about how God can use adversity to strengthen his people by helping them to right their attitudes and behavior, reset their priorities and refresh their worship as the seek more of God. Finally he looked at God's promise of restoration. Despite their doubts and fears the people of Haggai's day were the right people at the right time in the right place for the right reason; to continue God's work. What are we? It was a good sermon. This evening we had a church family Christmas party/potluck. There was much good food and fellowship. One of the church families led us in Christmas carols and the kids sang a fun happy birthday to Jesus. There was also cake and there advent wreath kits for each household. We worked together with the other folks at our table to make a wreath for our LIFEgroup. It was a good time and was capped be being able to come home and watch the Colts wallop the Ravens which in turn almost made up for Kentucky's bad day yesterday.

Verse of the day:

"Thus says the Lord of Hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord." Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" Haggai 1:2-4 (ESV)

Random quotes:

"Watch out for E. He's quiet but mean." SB early in the game of Killer Bunnies and long before I killed her bunnies with the Ebola Virus.

"His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood." "On Christ the Solid Rock"