Word and Sacraments (Rites)

"The Word enters our ear in order to strike our heart, so the rite itself strikes the eye in order to move the heart. The effect of the word and the rite are the same. It has been said by Augustine that a sacrament is a visible Word, because the rite is received by the eyes, and is a picture of the Word." The Lutheran Confessions, pg 184.

What A Bust!

Our craft show today was a real bust. Not many people ventured out in the hot weather, and those that did, stayed inside the hall or just sat around on the benches. I didn't see one person with a package all day.
Dave and I just sat and read our books and talked with the other vendors. We happened to look up and noticed heavy thunder clouds moving in. Time to start picking up but unfortunately, we weren't fast enough. The wind came in with full force and drove some vendors to run after their tents. Dave grabbed ahold of the pictures that we had hanging with one hand and grabbed the tent with the other. I went after the glassware. By the time the storm passed over both of us were dripping wet. At this point my only remark was, "pack it up, we're finished."
Tomorrow after church we are going to have to set up the tent to dry it out and I'll have to empty all the crates and clean them before we can do our next show.
We're home now and Dave was so exhausted that he has retired to his bed and its only 6:30.
I do want to thank Lauren and Dean for helping us set up this morning. They offered to help take down but there was no time to call when that storm hit.
And of course I want to thank Cindi for keeping us posted on the weather. YOUR FIRED!!!!

Are You Listening?

Today is not a good day. Wanted to attend church but just couldn't get my shoes on nor walk very well. My foot is so swollen and the pain is excruciating. I sometimes wonder if God really does listen or hear my prayers. I get so discouraged. It's only when I feel like this that I question. It seems that when one thing gets fixed, somethng else breaks down in my body. I'm getting tired. So very tired. I've never been one to get depressed, but I feel myself on a downward spiral. I would like to get up one morning and feel good and have that energy I used to have. I need to get back on track again.

Working at It

 

I have been working on this portrait for about a week trying to get the right skin tones. Still not completely correct but it's coming along. I started with colored pencil and changed over to pastel which gave it a more natural look. I figure with all the practice I put in, I will get it right eventually. After I work on the skin tones some more I will post it again.

Even though scenery is my forte, I have really enjoyed doing the portraits. It might not come as natual to me as it does to my grandson, David, but I want to hang in there and work at it until I get it down. One of these days when I can catch David away from the computer and Megan, I will sit down and have him show me how he does a portrait from beginning to end. You can learn much by watching others draw and paint.

What To Fear

Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear
that it shall never have a beginning.

J. H. Newman

Shoe Cabinet

 
 

Dave just finished this shoe cabinet for a customer. He did a great job and even got a stamp of approval from our neighbor, Leroy who is also a cabinet maker.