Except for poinsettias.
So every year for my birthday in December, I get at least one poinsettia from Alan, sometimes more. I love me a poinsettia!
I am still learning the proper care of a poinsettia. It starts out so beautifully and by Christmas, the green leaves begin dropping. I shift to panic mode and try to revive it by drowning it in water, which apparently is not a good response. With very little leaf coverage, the plant appears wilted and bare. I turn the plant ¼ turn every few days to hide the damage, but by mid-January, it ends up at the landfill with all the others.
My nickname could be “The Poinsettia Executioner”, a name I came across while reading Anita Renfroe’s “A Purse-Driven Christmas”. The native homeland of the poinsettia plant is Mexico. And once in America, the plant loses its will to live after weeks of being tortured (such is the case at my house). Renfroe says that “it is as if they know they aren’t in Mexico anymore. And you can’t fool them by playing Spanish TV, either.”
So as the “Poinsettia Death Watch” commences, I am feeling guilty and unqualified to be the keeper of a poinsettia, the only plant that enters my house during the year. But maybe it isn’t my fault at all. Our dog, Tucker, hiked his leg on my plant twice this holiday season. Needless to say, he hasn’t been back inside since!
The most fitting quote I've seen about James Brown came from Rev. Jesse Jackson:
Our mission at TNC is to create a relevant experience by removing all barriers that cause people to retreat during the Christmas season. Our folks have been handing out cards with information about our Christmas services all over the CSRA…from North Augusta to Grovetown to Aiken. We have walked the streets of downtown Augusta, shopping areas, and our places of employment. And there are some people who just can’t get to us, so we are going to them! As a way of serving our community, TNC will be hosting a Christmas Feast at the Salvation Army on Christmas Day.
Not everyone enjoys this time of year though because of life circumstances, loss, or loneliness. Or maybe they just don’t feel worthy to come before the Christ-child. Studies show that the main reason many people do not come to church is because no one has invited them.
So…step away from the blogs, and put down that coffee cup and newspaper. As long as you have clothes on, stay dressed as you are. Yes, those sweatpants are fine. Go by and pick up your friend who hasn’t been to church since 1980-something. And consider this your invitation to join us for one or all of our three identical services.
Place: North Augusta High School Gym
We have been waiting for you!
Click here to see our worship leader, Kevin Bradford, in action at band practice! I think he has a side gig with the Keebler elves!
John Mayer announced on his blog on December 1 (my birthday,) that his next single to be released will be Gravity. Thanks for the heads up, John.
We're waiting, waiting, waiting on the single to change!
Just keep me where the light is Ohh… where the light is!
According to the Slowsky's blog, Bill has posted a missing turtle poster for his wife, Karolyn (who has gone missing).
Bill! I think Karolyn has been hiding in our computer since Saturday. The internet has been running very slowsky and I can't do my stuff. Come and get her please!
Other peeps sharing my birthday...notice the comedians. There must be something about December 1 people:
Richard Pryor
And tomorrow, Dec. 2, is Britney Spears' birthday...I won't even begin to wonder what her plans are!
TV Land has compiled a list of the 100 greatest catchphrases on TV. Being a fan of pop culture trivia, I am hoping to catch the countdown special that begins airing on December 11.
"Come on down!" (Johnny Olson, "The Price is Right")
"De plane! De plane!" (Tattoo, "Fantasy Island")
"Hey hey hey!" (Dwayne Nelson, "What's Happening!!")
…not to be confused with…
"Hey hey hey!" (Fat Albert, "Fat Albert")
"How you doin'?" (Joey Tribbiani, "Friends")
"I know nothing!" (Sgt. Schultz, "Hogan's Heroes")
"Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids" (Trix cereal ad)
"Up your nose with a rubber hose" (Vinnie Barbarino, "Welcome Back, Kotter")
"Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?" (Arnold Drummond, "Diff'rent Strokes")
I am the proud "baby mama" of these three children.
This is a picture that I took for our Christmas cards, although I decided on the family one instead.
Sometimes I wonder "who are these people anyway and where did they come from?"
They might not look like me, but they act like me sometimes...bless their hearts!
I am not on stage today.
Our youth band is leading worship and I am able to experience our service from a different point of view. This is the second time in over two years I have had the opportunity to be off from the band and not be out of town.
And I like it. I really like it.
My daughter is to my left, my sister is to my right, my friends are seated around me in every direction, and I’m watching my husband do his SOUL team thang. There are other people around me who I don’t know and I am hoping to get a chance to speak to them.
A few things I am learning today:
1. How to check my kids into Kidzstuff. Alan usually does this part.
2. Clapping during several consecutive songs makes my hands tingly.
3. People want to stand up during a song, but they are waiting for someone else to stand first.
4. I can focus better when my thoughts aren’t drifting to the next set list and when to head backstage.
5. I don’t have to be a super-worker, just a super-worshipper.
Today is a humbling experience. TrueNorth Church can happen with or without me and I realize I’m just a tiny part of God’s big plan for this church.
And I am okay with that.
