Disregard that byline. This heartfelt post is from Steve Sponaugle! — Liz
Is it August already? Wow, our baby Kyle starts his senior year at DV next Monday. That thought hits me square in the eyes. WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?
I thought I would use this theme to try to get more Esperanza blogging interest now that our fall programs are just around the corner. Past blogs have just been plain fun to read, and sometimes very spiritually uplifting to me. Esperanza e-news is easy to get these days, with the mid-week blasts, facebook, website downloads of newletters and sermons, twitter bible studies, but there is just something special about posting blogs and interacting with Esperanza friends in this way.
But I digress, back to time, and where it has gone. I fondly remember my introduction to the Lutheran church when Cindy’s Mom Joyce walked Cindy down the aisle to “give her away” to yours truly. This was in Sauk Centre Minnesota in 1984, but lately, it seems so much more recently than that. I also remember baptizing Eric and Kyle in Joyce’s church in St Paul. This was in the early 90’s, and Joyce’s Lutheran influence was full of grace in our lives again and again. Did I mention I was devoting this blog to my mother-in-law Joyce Nass? She has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer and as I write this, Cindy is taking care of things with her three sisters (ReNae, Brenda, Barb) in St Paul. I love Joyce dearly, and ask for your prayers for Joyce and her houseful of queens.
After a brief encounter with an ELCA church in Clear Lake City Texas in 1994, we moved to the Valley of the Sun in 1995 and were blessed to find Pastor Dave’s church called Esperanza. Of course, over time, we realized it was not Pastor Dave’s church, it was our church. The people are the church, and so it was, is, and always will be with Esperanza. I have always loved Esperanza. I will always love Esperanza. Today, I love Pastor Steve’s sermons. I love ushering. I love teaching Sunday school to our children. I love blogging. I love fellowship (don’t forget about the Progressive Pool Party on August 14!!). I love talking to new members. I love talking to old friends. I love the Esperanza worship experience. I love watching Kyle lead the church band!! I love the men’s breakfast. I love campus cleanup. I love twittering on the book of Acts. I love Esperanza hikes (including the Grand Canyon!!). I love Esperanza camp outs. I love Esperanza bike rides (including the motorized kind!!). I have always loved Esperanza. I will always love Esperanza.
And now the Fall programs are approaching. Let’s all get involved!! They are easy to learn about, with all the e-news available. Personally, I am really looking forward to getting involved in the new e-zine. I believe this will be a significant quarterly publication of no-holds-barred Esperanza topics of creativity. I can’t wait to see it materialize!! I believe one of the focuses of the first publication will be the community garden. I can’t wait to see that materialize!! The community outreach possibilities of our community garden seem astonishingly outrageous.
WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE? WHERE IS IT GOING?!!
August 5, 2010 at 10:00 am |
Steve… thanks so much for firing up the blog again with your heartfelt posting. Ushering a parent through their last days is so, so hard. You bet we’re praying for Joyce, Cindy, her sisters and their families, your boys and YOU! Blessings, brother. God is with you and so am I. Thanks for sharing your inspiring optimism with us, both with your words here and with the way you live your life.
August 5, 2010 at 7:02 am |
Steve is right — Esperanza launches a web-based maazine in Sptember. It’s called “Words of Hope,” and it will publish stories, devotions, essays, letters, drawings, photography — what did I miss? — from the Esperanza community. The theme of the first issue is growth — which of course reminds us of the community garden: the Garden of Eatin’. But growth is a big topic, so don’t feel you must write about gardening. This is a place where we can express our thoughts, our faith.
OurEsperanza will live on, and it’s open to anyone. All you need to do is send me your text and I’ll post it. The e-zine will be quarterly, but this will always be here for those quick ideas that need a same-day outlet to our community. And it’s casual. You don’t need to be the bard to post here. Plus we can comment if we want.
Have a good day Esperanza … stay cool!