In my "spare" time

I know, I know, pastors just don't have spare time. And when the pastor also homeschools her kids, "spare" time is even harder to come by. But here's the thing . . . I feel very strong about taking care of myself and one way I do that is through my hobbie, bow making. It's quick and easy and fun and I have something to show for my time within minutes (unlike sermons which take a bit more preparation). I get instant gratification, so to speak, when I can twist a bow that I KNOW will make a little girl happy. This year is my second year of being asked to make the cheerleading competition bows for my girls' gym. I've been asked to make 150 of these babies and I just finished my first one. I'm really proud of it because it's a new technique and I think it looks AWESOME.
These buggers are BIG! The greatest thing going in cheerleading competitions are Texas-sized bows and that's what I'm making. The crazy thing is that these guys retail for $20 each. You do the math for 150 of these. It's NOT cheap! Which is why it's so fun for me to do. Sure, I have regular pastor things to do like visiting, attending meetings (a bunch this week including one out of town), guiding leaders, Bible study, preparing and presenting each Sunday's service, and then I have the typical homeschool crazy schedule which includes 4 hours/day teaching my kids, but when it's finally "me" time, this is what I enjoy. (I also weave headbands now and that's really fun too!) I may have a lot more "me" time this week if I don't get well. That swollen gland beneath my jaw is really tender today and I also have a bit of a sore throat and a low grade fever. I'd appreciate your prayers.

This is the news from Arbuckle Creek where the pastor withholds hugs when she doesn't feel well, the hospitals don't call to tell you when a parishioner is in the hospital (that's HIPPA for you!) and there's a gator trap in the canal behind the pastor's house (that happens when there's a big one lurking)