What a busy week it has been. Sorry I haven’t been journaling faithfully. I had a deacon banquet on Monday night, C-Groups on Tuesday night and church on Wednesday.

C-groups are my high school student-led Bible studies. There are six of them – three on Tuesday nights and three on Wednesday nights. One of the Tuesday groups meets at my house every week from 7:30 – 9 pm. I love having them here. Last night was our first one for this school year and we had several repeaters from last year. It was like a family reunion – hugs; how-was-summer; etc. C-groups really become family for the youth that attend. We had a few new folks as well. It was also a good excuse to clean my basement which had not been done since they left in May! (how sad is that!!) Anyway – as I tell the kids, it’s like my house is blessed each week on Tuesdays with their presence and their beautiful conversation on God and life.

My dad worked on Wednesday laying the floor in the kitchen. He nearly got it finished. I spent some time today working on it as well. We are very near the end. Praise God! I think one more day and we will have the major kitchen pieces in place. I can’t wait to have my house back. Although it been cool having the refrigerator in the living and perhaps the knowledge of this might increase my dating potential, it is time for it to return to the kitchen.

Spent some lunch time with sister, Blake, mom and Grandma Baker. It was Blake’s first McDonald’s trip. He slept through it – of course. I’m beginning to think I have this drowsy effect on him. I took a few pictures and will add them to the site really soon.

This weekend is crazy busy. I am leading some workshops at a training event this weekend; Common Ground is having a barbecue on Saturday night and Sunday is jammed-packed with church; business meeting; belated baby shower for Greg and Ang and then our first youth worship service. (and Gilda to frame for it. I’m swamped!) (for Beth and Preston) Needless to say – I’ll probably not be posting over the weekend.

Hope everyone is doing well out there. Drop me a comment some time so I know SOMEONE is reading this blah, blah. (Thanks ADELE for your dang comment.) HA.

Peace – Melissa

What beautiful weather! Gorgeous, gorgeous. A little ragweed isn’t going to get me down.

Friday night, Common Ground had our movie night. We watched The Princess Bride - a classic movie from my high school days. Great movie – even after the 40th time. So many great, quotable lines.

On Saturday, a few of us from Common Ground went to Windermere to volunteer for the day – part of a group of young singles affiliated with the current network (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship young leader’s network) across the United States that are trying to be involved in making a difference on Sept. 11 – a day known now for pain and violence. Some of us did some landscaping work for them and our guys spent the day assembling bunk beds for some of the new lodging. Then, we relaxed for a while by the pool on a perfect Saturday afternoon. Good times, good times – right, Preston??

Saturday night I spent some time with my sis and my nephew, Blake. We went out to supper together although Blake managed to sleep through the entire time we were together. I’m beginning to take it personally . . . (just kidding)

Sunday was a full day as well with church events. Spent the afternoon with a friend and then returned to church for an evening of piano praise (five grand pianos, millions of notes, etc.) Nice time of worship.

As I’ve shared with some of you, after reading Nicholas Spark’s works, I am thinking about writing again. I use to think about writing books but had misplaced that desire over the years. So, I’ve been dedicating my spare thoughts each day to thinking about a story that people would resonate with and characters that they could relate to. I’m open to suggestions if you won’t sue me later for a commission!

Peace – Melissa