dual personalities

We enjoyed another really beautiful fall flyover weekend. We went to the pumpkin patch at the Methodist Church…

…and Mr. Smith proudly wore his pumpkin suit…

We went to 19North and officially switched back to our red blend for the fall. We asked if we could order french fries off-menu and were told, of course, that was no problem, because “we know someone.” I felt so seen.

On Sunday our church service was held outside on the lawn in front of the youth house.

It was our usual service with music, sermon and communion–I was a doubter, but I really enjoyed sitting in lawn chairs in the beautiful sunshine.

We sang my favorite new hymn, “Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”, and I cried from start to finish. I cannot help myself. Here’s your weekly reminder to repent.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
lost and ruined by the fall;
if you tarry till you’re better,
you will never come at all.

After church we had Episcopal Calvinist Souffle, which daughter #1 suggests we call Total Depravity Souffle, and later we went to the wee laddie’s soccer game.

The bud’s team is still undefeated and once again made the opposing team’s goalie cry (he made it to the third quarter at least). This is not due to anything the bud contributes, but at least he can act like Messi after each goal. This time I remembered to take a picture of our favorite coach/photographer.

In addition to all this, I also went to a funeral on Saturday–the 95-year old father of a high school friend. He was like a lot of the fathers I knew growing up. He was the captain of his high school baseball team and the president of his class. He went to Amherst and was the president of his fraternity. He was president of his company. He liked history and singing. He was an all-around good guy, a happy guy who knew that “Every day is the best day” and that God is the author of all things. He was a conservative man whose outspoken daughter must have taxed his soul, but he loved her and they got along despite their differences. He ended up happily living with her the last few years of his life. I mean, that is the ultimate reward–to have children who want you around.

Of course, the ultimate, ultimate reward is to be in heaven with Jesus, and my guess is he is there, having laid down his trophies at last.

His family went to church with me growing up, but I guess after his daughters graduated from high school and the Episcopal Church alienated a goodly portion of their members in the 1970s, he moved to the PCA and was a pillar of the church in which the funeral was held. He figured things out much sooner than I, but we ended up in the same place.

We sang “How Great Thou Art,” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “It Is Well With My Soul” and a bagpipe band piped us out with “Amazing Grace”. He had planned the whole service, scriptures and all. You guessed it; I cried through a lot of it and was undone by the pipers. You can bet I was taking notes!

Well done, good and faithful servant.

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

(Elvina Hall, 1865)

*How Great Thou Art, 1885

How was your weekend? Ours was a perfect flyover fall weekend–gorgeous blue sky weather with temperatures in the 60s. It doesn’t get much better than that.

We did all the things–1st grade soccer on Saturday… the boy(s) are getting better!

…and church on Sunday. We had a good guest preacher and an excellent adult ed class. Lots of good hymns.

I made Episcopal Presbyterian soufflé with all the trimmings for after church and it was very good if I don’t say so myself. The twins discovered that they really like garlic cheese breadsticks from Trader Joes. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful day and the twins covered the driveway in chalk drawings. Super fun fall frolics.

Later that afternoon, after everyone had gone home, our electricity went out so the OM and I entertained ourselves by driving through Lone Elk Park where we saw some buffs.

Daughter #1 also sent me this from Instagram…

This is perfect because it is my contention that Westies are the Mini Cooper of dogs, bringing joy to everyone who sees them.

And here’s a bear story for the week. Pretty gruesome. Lesson learned: don’t go into the woods armed only with bear spray. Bring a battle-ax.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,
On an instrument of ten strings,
On the lute,
And on the harp,
With harmonious sound.
For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

^{(Psalm 92: 1-4)}