dual personalities

How was your weekend? It was a beautiful fall weekend here in flyoverland. I went to an estate sale and then volunteered at the Historical Society’s house tour. I was assigned to the basement of the Nipher House…

But this was no ordinary basement. No, it (along with the rest of the house) had been totally renovated (and added on to) to reflect the heights to which the owners have ascended in the social/economic scheme of things. Good Lord–it had everything–from an in-home movie theater to a walk-out patio with gorgeous pool. There were also three additional big-screen televisions in the basement (two on the patio), a pool table, a foosball table, a full bar, and various other indulgences. There were dozens of framed family pictures, St. Louis sports memorabilia, and artwork from HomeGoods. I shouldn’t judge, but I couldn’t help it.

Anyway, daughter #1 made it home from the prairie and came over in the late afternoon for wine time with Mr. Smith.

He was looking a wee bit scruffy from his visit to the Illinois heartland. Word is he had super fun with the kids, who I’m sure ran him ragged. (But I have a never-ending supply of vintage Beanie Babies with which to indulge him.)

Since the boy and the twins texted me Sunday morning that they weren’t going to make it to church, I went to the later service after Sunday School, which turned out to be nice because I saw several friends who I haven’t seen for awhile. We started a new Adult ed 5-week course and I went to the Science and Faith class taught by a retired seminary professor. It was excellent. I am looking forward to the rest of it.

We sang A Mighty Fortress is Our God, since Reformation Day is coming up. We blew the roof off!

And though this world with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear
For God hath willed His truth to
Triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him; his rage we can endure
For lo, his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.

We also sang In Christ Alone, another new favorite. We heard a good sermon on I Corinthians 3:18-23. A great service all around. As usual, the congregation sang the Doxology at the end of the service in spontaneous four-part harmony. You gotta love it.

And here’s a good one from Anne.

Teach us, O God, to trust your providence, ordered and sure; to accept your wisdom, unerring and true; and to rejoice in your love, unbounded and eternal; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

–Charles Simeon (1759-1836)