Faith – Page 2 – movingforwardslowly

Hartell Reunion 1993

Grandmother & Grandfather Hartell’s church

I recently received some old family pictures from my stepmother Marilyn. She is my father’s widow. Most all of the pictures were from a Hartell family reunion that took place in Plattsburgh, Missouri back in 1993. I had forgotten the exact date, and the pictures did not help with this. Then I remembered the quilt square my cousin Pam had made for all of Florence Hartell’s grandchildren. Fortunately, she had written the date of the reunion on the back. I have taken good care of my square.

I was surprised to see the picture of my husband, Jim, holding our daughter Laura. She was 3 years old at that time. He is dressed up and smiling. I had never seen this picture before I received this recent package. I had to post this to show what a handsome man I married.

I was raised a Disciples of Christ. My grandparents Hartell attended the First Christian church in Plattsburg, Missouri. My parents, siblings, and I attended the First Christian church in 7-Corners, Virginia. I posted a screen shot of the Plattsburg church, and a screen shot about the Disciples of Christ faith. I was baptized in the First Christian church in 7-Corners, Virginia (Falls Church) I posted my grandparents church because several reunion pictures were taken there, and I remember attending this church from time to time when we were visiting them. The picture of my husband and daughter was taken in the general vicinity of this church.

Red Hats

I just finished reading Ursula K. Le Guin's book Voices. The priests in this book all wore red hats. They were called the Red Hats.

Coincidentally, I have been seeing a lot of red hats in catholic news these days.

The Red Hats in Le Guin's book were not kind men. I am not making any kind of comparison to the real cardinals wearing red hats and working together to pick a new pope in the Sistine Chapel.

Out of curiosity I did a quick search of catholic hats. I was surprised to find so many official hat names.

Measured by Sunrise and Sunset

The sun begins to rise with the moon still in the sky.

Several of my friends at work are celebrating Ramadan this month. It started with the sunset last night. They all have said this is a good month for it. They have morning rituals before the sun rises so that they can eat before the daily fasting begins. After the sun sets they can celebrate with food and community. It is a month of charity with many celebrations of free food after the sun sets each night. The working day is an exercise in will-power sustained by their faith.

I can relate to measuring time by the sunrises and the sunsets. Anyone who works with the land and nature can feel and experience time with and through the natural workings of the world we live within. When you can leave behind the artificial lights of technology and begin your day with bird song and the warmth of natural light, you can feel your body responding to a natural cycle of days and nights. You can sleep and feel better when your body begins to sync with this natural cycle.

I hope this new month of March can bring freshness and renewal.