Hope and A Future

VBS Set, designed by Emily Briggs -
built from styrofoam, pool noodles, leftover paint and lots of volunteer love. 

June 10, 2025

Beloved:
          I’m wet and dirty at 9:45 am but my porch is scrubbed and the rug is drying on the driveway.  The blanket of yellow pollen has been washed into the grass and hopefully by evening I can move everything back in and start to enjoy the summer, watching my feeders from my swing instead of through the window.  It really was joyful work, mask and all, an hour of exercise in which to be grateful for this house where I am so at home.  
          I had to get the porch done early because it’s Bible School week, don’t you know.  We gather in the evening for songs and snacks and the story of Joseph’s journey from prison to a palace and how God was with him every moment.  I’m the cook and general house manager, while church members (from three little churches in Bloomington!) run the better part.  My granddaughter is the littlest of the 15 kids or so who attended; plus, the BIG kids who are helpers now raise our attendance to something like 20.  We will wrap with a short VBS program and a potluck supper on Thursday at 6 pm.  The potluck sign-up is linked below.  Everyone is invited, whether you worked VBS this year or not.  I hope you will come.
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   “For I know the plans I have for you, God says,
plans for good and not disaster, for a future and a hope.” 
~ Jeremiah 29:11

​          Reworked slightly to make it easier for kids to memorize, this verse is one I surely need this summer ~ a future and a hope are not just churchy words to me these days, but a rock solid reality.  I’m pretty old, in years at least, but I intend to get much older and to do a lot of living in this future of my intentions.  I’ve no idea what this future looks like, except that it will be full of new experiences, new people and new joy . . . and that it has already begun.  I have already turned toward it, now I am stepping into it with hope.
          I pray your summer is shaping up in ways you sense God’s goodness at work in it.  You are so very dear to me.  ~peace & prayers, pastor annette