Two weeks ago my oldest nephew got married in DesMoines. The wedding was a small affair compared to many weddings for people in his age bracket. No attendants, just the two of them in the front of the arch stating their intentions of a life together. Throughout the weekend there were memories shared of the little boy who has grown up to be a husband. Fast forward one more week, when Salem Church honored our G-R Senior. Standing beneath Tessa and looking up at her, I recalled my arrival at Salem. At that time Tessa looked up to me and it wasn’t long before we were eye to eye. Forward one more week. Mother’s Day and we were blessed to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism for and with Terak. Although only 5 months old he has changed in looks, in personality and what a special day for all involved. I share all this with you as a reminder of how quickly the years pass by and how the blessings are always around us if we but look and see them. If we reach out and acknowledge that each day we are blessed to live is a gift. Each person that we meet along our path is also a gift to us. Too often we get wrapped up in what the world tells us is important rather than what the Spirit speaks to us. If I fast forward to this Sunday I know that the church will be celebrating Pentecost. Oh how the writer of Luke-Acts describes for us the day of the first church, the tongues of fire, the speaking in tongues and all the chaos that erupted. The account is not only filled with images but with a drive or desire to celebrate more…more of the Christian life. Summer is not that far away (if we consider summer to begin when school is out).At the end of August we will ask, “Where did the summer go?” I hope your summer is filled with graduations, with weddings and anniversaries, baptisms, family reunions and the grace to give God thanks for the bounty we have in our lives, for our churches that reach out and embrace God’s goodness for us and those in attendance. Flowers in blood that draw us outdoors and to our windows to be touched by their beauty and the songs of the birds that sing their good mornings to us. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us, “To everything there is a season and a time for EVERY purpose under heaven”.