Living on the Right Course

This was the title of the sermon my Grandpa, the Rev. Glenn H. Lutz, preached on August 7th, 1983 at the First Presbyterian Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. He passed away seven days later hiking up in the Ruby Mountains with a church youth group. Talking with my Grandmother years later she revealed to me that she knew when he died. She felt it deep within her being. As hard as his passing was for her, I know she felt comfort knowing that my Grandpa passed away in a place that was special to him, doing something he loved. May we all be so lucky.
My brother Greg, just yesterday, gave me a copy of his last sermon which I just finished reading. It brought back memories of my Grandpa - preaching on Sunday mornings, dressed in "robes". He always looked so regal to me. I remember weekends spent at Grandpa and Grandma's and popping in to Grandpa's office in their house where he was working on his sermon for Sunday. I always told him I loved him and got a great big hug from him. I enjoyed those few minutes of time I had with him and he never seemed to mind being interrupted. I remember Thanksgiving meals at our house, or their house and my Grandpa saying Grace before our meal. (I also remember my Dad humorously sayng his own grace - "Thank you Lord for this grub, now let's eat!" and my Grandpa not really finding the humor in it- though in my Dad's defense, my Grandpa could be long-winded :) It's funny how certain things, like reading my Grandpa's last sermon, can bring back bits of memories of things you hadn't thought of in years or thought you had even forgotten.
My Grandpa baptised me when I was a baby and 43 years later, I still feel a connection to him because of that. I like knowing that. I loved my Grandpa, and it was nice revisting some long forgotten memories. I'm honored to be his granddaughter...... You wrote a great sermon, Grandpa.

Let's ALL Get Into Bow Hunting! (Okay, NOT me!)

Well, James started out this August getting a deer on his very first bow hunt. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures on digital camera to post of that, but suffice to say, it was very exciting for him and Mike that he did that. What an accomplishment and we have to thank Uncle Dave for getting James into bow hunting. Dave is an AVID bow hunter and James looks up to him and enjoys his time with Dave when in Arizona. Mike has made an archery range in our backyard for practicing and James, along with Mike (who has decided to join in on bow hunting next year) practice when time allows. The newest member of our family to join the ranks of bow hunters is Mark. He asked for and received a bow for his 8th birthday and he is determined to hunt with his idol, big brother James. Mike tells him that if he starts practicing now, he actually might get a deer by 12 years of age instead of 14 like James, and that motivates him. Last week, Kaylie, our sweet, beautiful girl, has decided she wants to do hunter safety and bow hunt also!!! She has been outside practicing with the boys too. If you're wondering if I will join the rest of the family, the answer is NO. No, no way, no how, never, will I EVER be able to shoot Bambi, Bambi's dad, uncle, brother, or relative! I much prefer to wait at home. I love venison (I made a fabulous venison, sausage and black bean chili complements of CookingLight magazine) and as long as I don't have to see the poor deer prior to it being cut up and put in nice neat packages, I'm fine. I'll leave the bow hunting to the rest of the family!

Kaylie's New 'Do

Saturday was a busy day with Kaylie, myself and James all getting haircuts and such at my wonderful friend Tisa's salon. (For those of you that don't know Tisa, she runs her own salon out of her house called Purple Door Salon - she's fabulous! 706-1826). Anyway, Kaylie's hair was pretty long and worn only in a ponytail - works great for soccer - but now that the season is over for a few months, I thought it would be nice to get her hair styled. Tisa did a great job and Kaylie looks just oh so cute!