Sunday, January 3, 2021

Gone to Church!

 I woke up this morning about 4:30 to the wonderful smell of pancakes!
Apparently, Louis Dean got hungry and was in the kitchen cooking!
I went right back to sleep and when I woke up later - the house still smelled like a coffee shop.
What a great way to start a Sunday morning!

We have a huge Tupperware container of pancake mix - but Louis Dean likes to make his own - and he's really good at it, too! Usually, he cooks what he will eat and then puts the bowl of batter in the fridge - only to have me throw it out a few days later. Pancake batter does not keep well and it's best  to cook up all the pancakes and save the extra ones. They keep well in fridge or freezer.

I tell him this over and over......
and today he DID it!
I woke up to freshly made pancakes in a ziplock bag on a pretty Christmas plate.

Sitting at the kitchen table, it really did smell just like IHOP!


Since he obviously didn't sleep well last night - he had gone to the guest room after his early morning meal so as not to disturb me - I left him a note instead of waking him.

This time last year I was getting ready to have my left knee replacement so I did not go to church for two months. Then I went a time or two before Covid hit and we were all in lockdown. I did return in person a few times throughout the year but was mostly watching the services online.

This year I would like to be more faithful in attending in person.
Louis Dean has not been out in a crowd this entire year.
He has ventured to Walmart a few times and made numerous trips to Home Depot while wearing his mask and using hand sanitizer. Most of the shopping we tried to do in Waco where the numbers aren't as high as in the DFW area.
However, for me personally, I want to to go to church.


Amber and Mike take the children to church and I am so happy we all go to the same one.


Seeing them is an extra Sunday morning blessing!
We arrive - wearing our masks - on the late side and sit in the back.
Once the service is over, we remain in our seats visiting among ourselves until we can safely distance ourselves out. Today we continued to visit out in the foyer and took advantage of the photo op props still in place.
We lingered so long that I noticed people were undecorating the Christmas trees and taking down the garland and wreaths! This coming Christmas of 2021 I intend to sign up to help undecorate.
I want to be more involved this year in church. I want to do my part.
In a really large church like ours, it's easy to simply attend, give your tithes and offerings and go home.
I used to be a Bagel Lady at Fellowship back in 2004.
We served bagels and coffee in kiosks to those arriving early between services.
They no longer do that but I'm certain I can find something to do.

Today has truly been a 'Day of Rest!'
I came home and ate lunch and went straight to bed where I stayed until nearly 7:00!
I napped, rested, and read and it was wonderful.
Louis Dean has watched football all day long.


I am happy to report that no kittens have escaped lately!
Although we could not get ahold of Tabitha to put her in the kennel last night with Samantha.
She was on the foot of our bed when I woke up this morning.
I am going to sneek up on her tonight!

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

Hebrews 10:25


22 comments:

Arlene G said...

We go to Mass every Sunday and we wear our masks. We try to choose seats that are away from the crowd and we just feel so much better being with the church family. I love the picture of you and the grands in the snow globe. PERFECT!! Y'all are a good looking bunch.

Bluebird49 said...

Love the photos--everyone looks so good. Commuting to "assembling" at church every week is a good thing!
It's good to hear you've gotten rested. You got a lot done this last month.
I've been running a low-grade fever this afternoon and tonight, but kept in check with Ibuprophen. I hope Covid is not back. I don't have any other symptoms but fever and headache. Hope you and Louis stay well, my dear friend.
Poor Ed has to have a wisdom tooth extracted at 8:45 am, and he's not looking forward to it. He's never had to have one pulled, and this is a wisdom tooth that he didn't see the dentist about soon enough. :(
Love you, my friend!

Ginny Hartzler said...

You really did have a true Sabbath! You are all in a snowglobe! I had wondered how you managed that! I make all different kind of pancakes, gingerbread, snickerdoodle, birthday cake. I make them maybe twice a week. Wish I could taste Louis Dean's!!

Hootin Anni said...

I bet your house did smell delicious!! I love your snow globe photography. That's probably a good idea to drive to Waco to shop...less populated!!

Hope you two are having a blessed 1st week of the new year!!

Lisa said...

Waking up to the smell of coffee and pancakes is wonderful!
Glad you made it to church. We had online church for about 3 weeks when covid hit but then started having church on the church lawn. We could sit in our cars or take a chair. It was wonderful. On mothers day, we opened the doors for inside service and never closed them again. Most do not wear a mask during church but will wear them coming and going. Much like restaurant rules. Every one sits a good distance. SO far we have not had any cases in our church this year, I live in a high rate area. I look for them to stricken the rules again soon. I just hate when they close everything but the grocery stores because thats where everyone flocks to.

Well blessings, Lisa

Kathy said...

Joe and I like pancakes. Sometimes I make them for dinner. Rarely do we eat breakfast together. Maybe I should say never.
So glad you got a chance to get to church. There really is a difference between watching online and going in person. The snowglobe pictures are wonderful!
Yesterday after church I lay down on the sofa to watch TV and slept for about 3 hours! I guess I am tired too.
Have a great day! It's always so nice to visit with you.

Miss Kim said...

That photo booth is truly awesome! It's my first time reading your blog and I'm hooked. Hope to keep up with you in the coming year!

Deb J. in Utah said...

Pancakes sound good. We sometimes enjoy pancakes and sausage as "breakfast for dinner." So glad you could go to church in person. We prefer going in person and taking precautions as well. Hope you week is a good one.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Those photos of you and the kids were so wonderful, Linda, and how nice to see your unmasked and smiling faces. What a great way to start off a new year, which hopefully will eventually be a better and happier one for all. Kudos to Louis Dean for the pancakes and he certainly deserved a good rest as did you. Both of you are simply amazing in all you do for each other, your family and friends. Thank you also for your visits and comments on my blog last year, always read and appreciated.

Changes in the wind said...

Never thought about freezing pancakes but that is a great idea. Wonderful family pictures at the church. We go to church every week but not as involved in ministry as we once were.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I'm glad you got to get out to church. Here I stayed at home, our number of Covid cases started to rise a lot and I feel safer staying at home. Thankfully is is live streamed on the computer though. I hope soon the numbers start to decrease and I too can attend again.

MadSnapper said...

i have a friend who cooks for herself only. she cooks pancakes, french toast, and just about everything she eats, and freezes it in individual packets. ihave never awakend to the smell of breakfast since i was at home with mother... you are blessed. love the church portratis and glad you are able to go again

photowannabe said...

I sure do miss attending church in person too. Dave and I have only done that a few times when the church has been open. Part of our problem is our transitioning from one church to another. After 13 years we need to move one..it's so hard after all the serving and involvement we have done but ...
this is the right decision ...hard...but right...
I'm so glad you could be with the family and them have such a scrumptious day of just doing what you wanted to do...that's the best.
Happy New Year
Sue

Jan said...

Our church has 2 Sunday services so that everyone that wants to attend can do so and still be socially distanced. Since we sing on the Praise Team, we sit in front and only take off our masks to sing. We livestream our second service for those that don't feel comfortable getting out.

I agree with you-getting involved at church makes it so much more meaningful! I hope we can get back to having Sunday School again soon. My daughter and I had so much fun teaching the Kindergarten class together.

Carole said...

Keep on staying safe - my sister in London is back into lockdown yet again... Cheers

Susie said...

Linda, Such great photos from the church. I am glad you let LD sleep. He needs to rest , cause that's a hard working man. I am sure not ready to be out in a crowd. It makes me a nervous wreck to go to the grocery. I just have to be extra safe and not take anything home to Ted. Stay safe there. Blessings to all, love you, xoxo, Susie

Wanda said...

Hi Linda. Love your note to Louis Dean. Because my dearest sleeps a lot, and I don't wnat to disturb him if he is sleeping in his recliner, I tape a note to the front of the TV telling him where I went, and how long I will be gone!!
I love the pictures taken at church. How nice is that.

Trying to get organized for the new year. I have all my recipts and paid bills filed away. The pantry is restocked and I'm reading the One Year Study Bible this year.

Love and Hugs.

Judy said...

I always enjoy my visits here. How nice to have breakfast ready for you...and to be able to attend church in person. Our churches have been closed for most of the past year. We met outside on a patio with our care group all summer... and watched the church service online. We were able to attend in person for a few months, and then everything shut down again. I am looking* forward to meeting together again...hopefully before too long!

Saimi said...

What a wonderful Sunday. I love that you went to church and want to be involved, what an angel you are. Now are those the quads, because they look all grown up, like when did they get so tall and old looking? Just thinking of those pancakes is making me hungry I love the smell of cooked pancakes and you are right, the batter never lasts long in the refrideraor so why do we always make more than we can eat? Haha, its like spaghetti it just grows haha.
Happy New year my friend!!

Debbie said...

i LOVE your snow globe, chuck and i have one with a picture of ourselves in it!! those children are so adorable!!

i really enjoy pancakes, homemade are the best, light and fluffy and they do smell delicious!!

chuck always leaves a note for me when he goes to work...i know where he is, it's just a sweet love note!!

Deanna Rabe said...

Thankfully, we've been able to be at church most of the year. The last few weeks, we've been home because the pastoral staff got covid! But now they'll be over it and we can get back to worship.

Glad you were able to go!

Curtains in My Tree said...


Happy New Year 2021

I have been away from blogland and just now getting back to reading your latest post and posting a small one myself.

I have been going to early mass since June of course with mask on and in church lobby they want us to use hand sanitizer going in and coming out.

So glad to read about you and your sweet husband and family

Janice