Stop and Smell the Roses - by Diane Lantzy

It is now sprummer (as my son called the short season between winter and summer…spring on the calendar but summer like weather J)!  And for those people who have to deal with my winter grumpiness – they are quite grateful it is sprummer!  What I especially enjoy about this time of year is the wonderful flower scents….from Lily of the Valley, to Lilacs to Irises.  Many of us express our appreciation of the visual beauty that God delights us with but I don’t often hear the same appreciation about all the wonderful fragrances…perhaps because of the allergies that so many of us have to deal with!  But for me, when I smell those scents permeating the spring air – I can’t help but be grateful for the ways that God provides beauty for all of our senses.  ‘Stop and smell the roses’ is now a somewhat trite expression but it does hold a very fundamental truth.  In the busyness of our lives we often forget to take the time to appreciate the wonders of God’s creation.  Today – and everyday – is a good day to spend some time enjoying and thanking God for all that He has given us.

Preparing - by Ben Barnes

My wife & I are expecting our first baby in mid June.  We’re pretty excited pronounced “scared out of our whits".  We’ve been preparing a nursery with paint and furniture and decorations.  We’ve been preparing friends and family with parties and cards.  We’ve even tried to prepare the cat (which really did not go well).  We’ve taken classes, read articles and have heard advice that all pretty much tells us the same thing: we should do what we can, but we’re never going to be fully prepared for this baby.  And on most days I’m actually okay with that.  Other days, I’m just nervous that I’ll never sleep again.

Seems to me that just about any trip to the grocery store or church (or hospital birthing floor, for that matter) takes some preparation.  A list of stuff you need to buy.  An extra $20 just in case.  Another bottle of water for the drive.  A quick youtube search for how to assemble and install a baby seat into your car.  And, honestly, worship is no different.

When we’re getting ready for church, we can lay our clothes out or put the church’s address into the GPS or set the coffee maker the night before.  We can do all sorts of things to prepare for worship.  Prayer, scripture, time with other believers… all wonderful ways to get ready for gathering with the body of Christ!  But when it comes down to it, no matter what we do to prepare, we’re never ready for what God may do during worship. Ultimately, we do what we can to be ready, then allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and our hearts.

My Michigan - by Olga Chulakova

Below is an article that was published in the Lansing State Journal by our congregation member Olga Chulakova.

For 50 years I lived in Kazakhstan, but now my life is in America. I came here to join my daughter’s family. I never thought that my fortune would change with such an abrupt zigzag and I would land here in Michigan.

How many times I exclaimed: Oh! Ah! Wonderful! Magnificent! Yes, such was my impression of my new life of comfort and security. America became my home and now I feel a part of her.

I live in a beautiful part of Michigan — Dewitt, surrounded by forests, farms and beautifully decorated private homes.

Fall in Michigan is the most beautiful season, marked with many different colors. It is breathtaking to drive between the yellow leaves of birches, the mahogany leaves of oaks, and the red leaves of maples. When I go for a walk on the autumn streets, I always take pictures so I can share my joy with my friends. How can one not like fall?

I am getting to know my America through unique garage sales.

I relish them for the opportunity of seeing people, their lives and their interests. They give me additional experience about life and people. Often, I buy some things that I need and things I don't need. I admire the beautiful landscaping and sometimes I talk with the owners.

I was lucky to get to know America by visiting different states: from California to Florida. It has allowed me to compare ... the high palms, beautiful beaches and others charms of warm states that attract a vacationer, while Michigan is much better for a permanent residence.

Indeed it is possible to compare the prickly cacti with pines or the hot and humid summer days of the south with the fresh air of Michigan?

I compare the high fences in Texas with open green properties of Michigan and I feel as if my soul sings in these vast expanses.

Is it even possible to compare our natural drinking water with the many states that have to use bottled water for everyday purposes?

Even our winter is beautiful and brings with it the chilly, yet enchanting, snow-covered trees and landscapes all around. The long, cold winter of 2014 is an exception. Any winter is good if the roads are clear. Isn’t it?

All of the wealth of nature is wonderful, but even more precious is the kind, hospitable and welcoming people that I live here among. To each their own and I prefer my Michigan.

5-15-2014   Lansing State Journal

God's Garden - by Jack Hanneman

As spring peeks around the corner warm days follow and God’s garden starts to bloom. As we enjoy the warmth and floral aroma’s (unless you have allergies), the lawn mowers awaken and the yard work begins. As we beautify our yards, let’s not forget our church - Trustee’s will be working hard to get our church looking beautiful for the summer on Saturday, May 17^th starting at 8:00am – 12pm. Grab your gloves and come join us!

New Life - by Bev Christensen

This month I heard some wonderful news. I am going to be a grandmother for the first time!! How excited my family is! My daughter, Kim, who lives in Honolulu is the happy mother to be. What a miracle it is to know that there is going to be another child of God here on this earth, a new life. How miraculous is that?

So, their journey (and ours) is just beginning. I wish she and her husband Ron lived closer to us so we could see that precious little one growing in her tummy. J The time will fly by quickly (although there are time when it will seem to drag by slowly) and they will be holding a brand new life in their hands. What a blessed miracle from our Heavenly Father. How God truly loves us.

Speaking of new life, celebrating Easter here at Redeemer was such a joyous season. Christ’s resurrection – so that we could have eternal life in Heaven. The Easter weekend felt like spring had finally arrived - flowers were coming back to life showing some beautiful colors, it was warm and sunny and we were able to greet many new faces to our church family. Hopefully, many will return to worship with us and come to know new life in Christ as they never have before. Hallelujah – that would be wonderful! New life surrounds me - - Psalm 95:1 says, “Come let us sing for Joy.”