Beloved:

    I’m never more caught up at work than the week before vacation.  But here, early in that week, it’s nutty.  Good nutty, but nutty all the same.  I am ever grateful for this cycle of study, visiting, writing, preaching, cooking, praying, reading.  Sometimes it is very exciting.  Other times heartbreaking.  Occasionally hilarious.  Rarely boring.

    As much as I love my job I also excel at vacation.  On Monday I’m going to Savannah for a whole week of looking at the ocean and hanging out with my daughter Emily.  It’s both our birthdays.  We’ll celebrate by seeing lots of art and eating great food.  Bike riding and daily naps are also planned. 

    Lent will commence soon after I’m back and I look forward to another Holy Season among you.  Watch for reading lists and other special activities of the season. 

~ peace & prayers,
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pastor annette

    Which is why I want you to mark your calendars for Sunday, February 21st, the Sunday you are absolutely, positively not going to miss worship, nor the potluck lunch to follow.  Our guest preacher is Kerry Thompson, the Executive Director of the Monroe County Habitat for Humanity.  I want her to tell us about her call to this work and how she has known God working through Habitat over her many years in Bloomington.  After church, we’ll have a potluck lunch and hear a presentation from Kerry Thompson and another new friend of mine, Don Weiler, of Bailey & Weiler Design & Build, on how UBC might sponsor a new home for a local family this year.  I’m very excited about this ministry opportunity and pray you will make February 21st a priority on your calendar.
  
    In the meantime, enjoy this beautiful, beautiful day. 
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~peace & prayers,

Beloved:

    The Indian kid living at my house refuses to get out of bed when it’s this cold.  I told him the Russian kids on campus would think he’s being a baby.  He didn’t laugh.  The dogs and cat pile in to make a furry cuddle puddle.
 
    I fret for those for whom the cold is a crisis because their houses won’t heat or because they have no shelter.  I pray they get indoors.  I pray that the services available meet the need.  I pray that grace will abound and judgement will retreat.  I pray for eyes to see human beings instead of simply the needy.  I pray for ears to listen for a story they want to share instead of just another ask for help, I pray for words to speak to them as brother and sister instead of another case.  I pray to be present, to be humble, to be kind, to be joyful, to be encouraging, and to communicate always and deeply that we are glad that people in need come to our church hoping for help.  I am so proud to serve the gospel with the likes of University Baptist, Bloomington, Indiana.  You make ministry such a wonderful gig.   

    And now, for your Tuesday worship - Salvation Rain.  I never heard of them until this morning.  I would like to sing like her.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wONdDfGv4tc.  ​
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~peace & prayers,
pastor annette

Beloved: 

       Her daddy drove the little one back to Savannah yesterday.  They had dinner outdoors by a river.  IU and Wabash students are still at home with me until they go back to school one and two weeks from now, respectively.  I’ll have one more Little Giant (Wabash) for a few days after he returns from China.
 
       Which is to say I’ve been in my happy place for weeks and weeks now.  It’s worth all groceries, dishes and laundry to have them here.  Their friends come over and bring more friends too.  Seine, who is from India, cooks rice almost every day and has made curry for us twice.  He makes it extra mild so only my lips go numb when I eat it.
 
       All of them work crazy hard in school.  They take heavy class loads with lab work and internships.  On break they mostly sleep, eat and play video games.  Sometimes they go to the movies.  They pet the dogs and wash the dishes when I ask. 

       Mostly I just stare at them, grateful and feeling chosen.  My dad left me a spot of cash and so we bought this giant house hoping these years would work out this way.  Still I wonder at the luck and blessing of it all. 

       Whatever this day brings your way, I pray you know some blessing in it.
  ​
~ peace & prayers,
pastor Annette
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