Posted by svanbaale |
This would have been the first full week of school. Instead, our summer vacation has been extended to September. I really consider it a 6 month summer break at this point, since very little was accomplished academically after spring break. I call it a break, not a vacation; though we would like to have a summer getaway (we haven’t had a family vacation in 5 ½ years), I just don’t feel safe…
Posted by svanbaale |
For those of you who might have missed it, a historical event occurred on Saturday. Americans were launched into space again. It marked the first U.S.-based rocket launch with American astronauts since the space shuttle program ended in 2011. Ever since, NASA has flown all of its astronauts and international partners to the space station on Russia’s Soyuz capsule. This is the first time they have…
Posted by svanbaale |
We’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — the church is not the building … it’s the people.
We’ve proven that this past 6 weeks or so that we have been unable to come together and worship in person. From our online services to the inspirational videos by Heather to Pastor’s online Wednesday prayer sessions to Happy Hour Hangout via Zoom … we don’t need to be in the…
Posted by svanbaale |
It has only been about two weeks now since it began, though it seems like a lot longer. Before then, not many had heard of the term “social distancing.” Now it is a staple in our everyday lives.
Some of us may not have left our homes at all in the last couple of weeks, preferring to work from home and have everything delivered or do without.
Others haven’t changed their…
Posted by svanbaale |
Did you know that there are not really 365 days in a year? There are actually 365.242 days, or about 365¼. Leap years occur every four years on Feb. 29, making those years 366 days. This Saturday is Leap Day, and we get a whole extra day to enjoy.
Julius Caesar was the one who started leap year. The early Romans had 355 days in their calendar, with a 22 or 23 day month every second year.…
Posted by svanbaale |
Do you remember all of the chaos and concern as the new millennium approached? Everyone feared their computers and appliances with dates would shut down and fail to work again, as they only were set up to go to 1999 when they were created. What would happen when the first two digits changed to 20? No one knew, but a large amount of fear ensued.
We all survived that chaos, and here we are…
Posted by svanbaale |
If you love your country, thank a vet.
If you cherish freedom, thank a vet.
For the price they paid, for the sacrifice they made.
If you love your country, thank a vet.
— From “Thank a Vet” by Mike Wilson
I first heard this song when my daughter sang it with her choir in the Veterans Day program in elementary school. My husband and father-in-law,…
Posted by svanbaale |
Habakkuk 1:1-4 (NRSV)
O Lord, how long shall I cry for help,
and you will not listen?
Or cry to you “Violence!”
and you will not save?
Why do you make me see wrongdoing
and look at trouble?
Destruction and violence are before me;
strife and contention arise.
So the law becomes slack
and justice never prevails.
The…
Posted by svanbaale |
School has started and Labor Day is fast approaching. Where has the summer gone? It has been quite an eventful one for Salem!
As I picture fall, I see a dirt path covered in leaves that can head in a multitude of directions when a sudden gust of wind approaches. Which way will the leaves blow?
There is so much opportunity for Salem now — let’s get to know our Salem family and neighbors.…