Moments in a Day

Amy here. It’s been a hectic two weeks leading up to Easter. I work at a church, so that should explain it. I keep thinking the pastor is going to keel over. Besides Easter prep, she had a wedding, a baptism and planned for a funeral for next Saturday. She has had church members admitted to the hospital, and others needing her at their homes. On Easter morning, we are welcoming thirteen new members and baptizing two more folks. This morning, my boss – who is the pastor of this church and has become my friend – walked in with two bouquets of flowers. When I jokingly asked, “Are those for me?” she said, ” Yes!” She wanted to show her appreciation of all my hard work and our partnership in making things happen.

     Flowers at work

     Same flowers at home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was glad when my Amazon order showed up in the mail this morning. Do you love Anne Lamott’s works as much as I do? Two days ago (yes, I have Prime shipping with Amazon) I had decided that her new book, Hallelujah Anyway, would be a perfect gift to the pastor to just say thanks for who she is. We are so often on the same wave length!

As I sat waiting for the 12 page Easter bulletins to finish printing this afternoon, I also gave thanks for this church who honored their church dog with a memorial service and have held me in prayer as I continue to work my way through the grief of losing my heart dog. And, mostly, I give thanks to my risen Savior whose resurrection and love gives my heart hope. I wish my friends a joyous Easter and a blessed Passover.

Peace.

 

 

 

 

Gracie’s Busy Day

Gracie here again. Today was the day that the peeps get rid of their kids by giving them to the church for a while. I love this kind of day. I am free to love on the little people, and made 87 trips downstairs to do just that. Their giggles make me wiggle and their sticky, tasty fingers and faces are fun to lick.

It is also the day peeps come in to get pieces of paper to trade for food. They all seem to need a dog to pet, so I was there to help with that, too. Lexi had told me this was her most important job as the Church Dog, so I take it very seriously.
The pastor’s daughter came after school and we played and played. We both finally got worn out and waited on the couch in the room that has lots of books until it was time for her to leave.

When we finally got home after 87 hours of working, I jumped from the car and ran to the house, already thinking about seeing Mr. Jeff and eating my supper. When Ms. Amy opened the door, there stood another gimongous dog. His name is Riley. I backed up and refused to go in until Ms. Amy picked me up. He could still tickle my toes, so I was relieved when we went upstairs and shut Riley downstairs with Mr. Jeff.

I found out Riley was Lexi’s brother and used to live here, too. You probably already know Riley, but for anyone just tuning in, this is a picture of him taken a few years ago.  He is even bigger than Lucy. Speaking of Lucy, she is still wearing the Cone of Destruction and trapping me with it like a Bullie Dozer. I know Lexi never had any problem dealing with all these big dogs in her house, but she forgot to teach me that lesson.

I wonder who is going to show up next…

 

Gracie Gets a Message

Is that one of my friends out there?

Hi, this is Gracie. I have been staying with Mr. Jeff and Ms. Amy for almost a week now. Today, I was sitting in one of my favorite places when Ms. Amy said something to grab my attention away from what was happening outside.

 

Gracie, do you want to go to work?

I was a bit disappointed that there weren’t many people there, and definitely no little people today. As a consolation, Ms. Amy took me outside during her lunch time. The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect. We took a nice walk all around the church and I got to read tons of pee mail. Some of it was old news, but it was still interesting.

Before we went back inside to do more work, I saw the message my bestie, Angel Lexi, had left for me. In case you didn’t know, this is the same sign where she was honored after she made her trip to the rainbow bridge. I thought maybe she was nearby.  I miss you, Lexi, and I am going to let my light shine.

All Saints’ Day

This is the first day of November, also known as All Saints’ Day. Many churches will observe this holy day next Sunday. St Luke UMC, however, chose to observe it on October 30. Prayers are said for those who have passed, especially those who have passed since this time last year. The congregation is encouraged to name their loved ones who have gone on and to come to the altar rail to light a candle for them.

A Facsimile of the All Saints’ bulletin cover

At St. Luke, besides the candles on the altar rail, a special table was set up in the middle to hold larger candles for those who left us this year. A picture and/or a memento could be left for that special loved one. I think you know where I am going with this.

I knew I couldn’t sit through this service without crying the whole time, so I asked Lexi’s favorite person at St. Luke to light the candle when the time came. I am sure this was hard for David, too, but he did this for Lexi and me.

 

This is the page in the bulletin from where the names were read. I do believe that no matter what happens, there is a reason. Losing Lexi in early September is one of the hardest things I have ever endured. About one and a half years ago when I got my job at this wonderful church, I never expected anything like the support I have received since that time. I am blessed to be among these loving, caring people.