quite the feat!

we're here..., originally uploaded by Tina Vega.

We're here though my blogging capabilities are a limited! We're having fun, cropping lots, eating, and laughing.

I LOVE THESE RETREAT WEEKENDS! I usually leave feeling very rested and refreshed. The timing couldn't be better.

Have a wonderful day and I'll try to post again soon!

what i'll be singing to...

I'll be spending a whole lot of time on the road today. Here's a peek at my playlist:

We Live - Superchick (the video coding has since been disabled; click HERE to view instead.)

In Wonder - Newsboys

Praise You in This Storm - Casting Crowns

ever find yourself asking...

"How in the world am I going to pull this together?"

This time of year is ALWAYS crazy busy for me with my annual Open House, craft fair, and winter retreat right on top of one another. Throw in the holiday season and you have the makings of a giant headache! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE EVERY BIT OF IT - but it takes a whole lot of leaning on God to pull it together.

Yesterday I was beginning to fret. In an effort to work through my task list, I had been skimping on my God time. Extra stress and less time with God - dangerous combination. I realized that I was focusing on my direction, not His, and it felt like I was digging myself into a hole. I decided to put down my task list and pick up my Bible.

He made things clear to me and today I feel much better. God will always give me the grace to do His will, to fulfill His plan. If I'm not spending enough time in God's word, asking for direction and a clear path - I get side-tracked. His way is light and easy, mine is messy. I know that so well yet continue to dig the holes!

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8

for you.

The Father's Love Letter

impromptu photo shoot...

This little girl holds a very special place in my sister's heart. She and her mom were heading over to Stacey's house for Christmas card pictures (Stacey has the best holiday decorations). My sister, knowing how obsessed I am with photography, invited me to join them. What a sweet model! I'll be posting a few of my favorites on Flickr, which you can get to by clicking HERE.

don't leave home w/o it!

It is important to have a camera around at all times because you just never know what might happen:

He was in the driver's seat, looking so doggone cute! Seriously though, I'd brought my camera along for at a photo shoot after church. I am so thankful I did because I also ran into these special ladies in the parking lot!!

Three of the four were part of my Alpha group more than two years ago. We'd enjoyed our time together so much that we continued to meet weekly even after the course ended. Those Thursday evenings were filled with many warm moments, the-best-meals-ever, laughter, tears, and rich conversation. It was a season I will always treasure!

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV)

grrrrrrowl.

Pride is a strong lion,

ready to pounce, prowling

on my driveway last Halloween

hunting for the best candy in town.

I received a couple of requests from younguns wanting to be on the blog; thus, the experiment in poetry. My kids are not as enthusiastic about it (one is even complaining as I write). Have a great evening!

a not-so-secret admirer

A little friend reminded me of this sweet picture:

A long summer day
Chalk drawings, sunshine, a boy
Looking back with smiles

about a girl...

My niece
Creative, giggly, beautiful, thoughtful
Sibling of Darth Jr.
Lover of Hannah Montana
Who fears mistakes
Who needs love
Who gives notes
Who would like to see a cat in her house
Resident of MN
M&M

coffee w/sharon

Not only has this become a regular appointment on my calendar, but a regular post as well! Just thought I'd share a couple of shots from our time together this week at Muddy Waters. It was a rustic little joint that served up a suprisingly fluffy mocha.

As always, I look forward to our time together! As a matter of fact, did you know that God longs for the very same thing with each one of us? He is honored when we take time to get to know Him. He knows us inside and out but it is His desire for us to know Him! Unfortunately, I am not always as conscientious about my time with God as I am with family and friends.

If you are interested in deepening your relationship and would like some practical tips for spending time with God, here's a link to a great series of articles.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you... Ephesians 1:17-18

goin' to the chapel...

My youngest sister Amy is engaged and I was FINALLY able to meet her fiance Rodrigo! He was thrust into the full Denzer experience today with a plethora of food, wild animals (kids), and very loud conversation.

¡Recepción a la familia!

(Welcome to the family!)

because laughter aids digestion...

Oh, and this one is for The Turkey Farmer:

Another digestive help: Don't gobble, gobble! (Sad - I know - but I couldn't help myself.)

happy thanksgiving!

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

all i want for christmas

Many years ago, I stumbled upon this book entitled, "Unplug the Christmas Machine." It begins with a Christmas Pledge:

• Remember those people who truly need my gifts.
• Express my love in more direct ways than gifts.
• Examine my holiday activities in the light of my deepest values.
• Be a peacemaker within my circle of family and friends.
• Rededicate myself to my spiritual growth.

It is so easy to get caught up in the holiday whirlwind and even easier to forget why and what we are celebrating in the first place! If you are looking for a simpler, less commercial, more soul-satisfying celebration - this book is for you. The exercises in the book will help you pinpoint what you like and don't like about your current celebrations, clarify your values, and create a simple plan to move toward a more satisfying celebration.

It is a insightful book that I refer to every year as a "check-up" and reminder. If you tend to feel burdened and stressed during the holidays, this book will give you practical ideas and tips for putting joy back into the season.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Journaling Ideas: Think back to last Christmas, taking a close look at the activities surrounding it (e.g. holiday cards, baking, volunteer work, shopping, decorating the tree). What activities did you enjoy? List which activities were not enjoyable and why. Does your current holiday celebration reflect your values? What is one thing you could do differently this year to simplify things?

hint**hint**hint**

Here's a hint for the theme of our December Faithbooking Lesson:

Our next Faithbooking Crop will be on Saturday, December 8 from 9:00 am-4:00 pm at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in Lakeville. The crops are FREE and include snacks, beverages, and make-and-take supplies. Feel free to work the crop around your schedule, just let me know if you plan to attend and I'll be sure to have a spot ready for you.

a little late

We just celebrated a very special birthday with Grandma Lita. They are all truly special, it's just that this is one of the many decade birthdays in our family this year (Meeley, my dad, Cindy, and my hubby).

We went to Pizza Luce - yummy food, including a ton of TASTY vegan and vegetarian options. It was a cool little place I'd highly recommend.

In case you didn't know it Alice, you are now a septuagenarian (though you could still easily pass for a quinquagenarian). Happy Belated Birthday!!!!

close call

When I wrote Rainy Days and Mondays a week and a half ago, I used a photo of our son simply because it seemed fitting with the rain and all. Little did I know the significance of that entry! On the Saturday following the post, our son had a giant freak out. It was so unlike him that my hubby and I laughed out loud when it happened. I took my time tucking him into bed and was caught off guard by the following conversation:

MEELEY:I am SO EMBARRASSED by what happened, I am really sorry. I feel like something is really wrong.

ME: Are you feeling crabby or tired?

MEELEY:No. I feel really sad but don't know why. I've been crying every night in bed, you just haven't noticed.

ME, ALARMED BUT TRYING NOT TO SHOW IT: How long has this been going on?

MEELEY: About a month and a half, it started around September 19th.

He's just the type of kid to remember precisely when the icky feelings began. For some big God reason, I decided to Google his recently prescribed allergy medication. I was shocked by what I found! Here are just a few of the listed side effects: agitation including aggressive behavior, irritability, depression, restlessness, suicidal thoughts and actions. We pulled him off the medication and within days, he was a different kid - it felt like a weight had been lifted.

Shortly after the medication had been discontinued, Meeley began to complain of stomach pain and naseau. Our clinic was closed so I went directly to the Singulair website to see if there was a possible connection. I discovered that for a month and a half, Meeley had been prescribed the ADULT DOSAGE of 10 mg/day when he should have only had 5 mg/day! This was confirmed by our pharmacist and again the following day by a second physician.

I am so thankful for those quiet moments with my son, thankful he shared how he was feeling. I am also thankful for the God-given insight and wisdom, thankful for Google, and so thankful he is okay. From this point forward, I will not only thoroughly read the information provided by the pharmacy but from the manufacturer as well!

He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. Psalm 91:4

ooooh, i just have to post one more...

She is just too cute!

photo shoot today!

Thank you Amy W. for sharing your sweeties with me. I had SOOOOO much fun! Here are a couple of my favorite shots. I'll post a few more at Flickr as well.

this is what 40 looks like...

Forty years of marriage, that is! My siblings and I "surprised" our mom and dad with a romantic dinner for two at McHatties, complete with limousine. I have posted a few more pictures of the evening on my Flickr page, you can get to that by clicking HERE.

So what does forty years of marriage look like? When I think of my parents, here are a some words that come to mind:

• Adventure
• Struggles
• Dreams
• Different
• Together
• Despair
• Children
• Strength
• Perseverance
• Joy
• Sadness
• Sharing
• Silliness (how could I forget this one!)

Marriage - like life - is a mix of ups and downs. We can't avoid seasons of difficulty but it is important we weather them together!

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Journaling Ideas: What does marriage look like to you? What have your parents taught you about love? What do you struggle with most in your own relationship? How has your marriage grown over time? If you are single, what are you looking for in a spouse? What "words of wisdom" do you have for your own children regarding love?

a beautiful reminder...

Someone shared this with me yesterday and it made me think of the many times I've been quick to judge. How many godly encounters have I missed? How many times have I walked away from opportunities to bless and be blessed? I need reminders like this one.

A Baby's Hug

We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, "Hi there." He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. "Hi ya, buster," the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks,"What do we do?" Erik continued to laugh and answer, "Hi, hi there."

Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, "Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a-boo." Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence, all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door.

"Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik," I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's "pick-me-up" position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man's. Suddenly, a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love relationship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder.

The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, "You take care of this baby."

Somehow I managed, "I will," from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, "God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift." I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car.

My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly and why I was saying, "My God, my God, forgive me." I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not.

I felt it was God asking, "Are you willing to share your son for a moment?" when He shared His for all eternity. The ragged old man unwittingly, had reminded me, "To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children."

Author Unknown

my man is "the Man"

"The Man" is a running joke of sorts in our household. My hubby often hoists a fist in the air as he says to the boys, "Fight the Man!" (I remind him that he is the Man to our children.) The hubby also has visions of personalized license plates. He was a bit concerned someone might steal his idea but I assured him it was safe here...

Ironically, he just accepted an interim management position. In addition to taking a leave from the Union, my hubby has also become the boss to his former position. Now that REALLY makes him "the Man."

Congratulations honey!!!!!!!

what will you leave behind?

This song speaks to my scrapbooking heart! I used these lyrics as the title page in my family album.

Legacy - by Nichole Nordeman

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all the who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such 'n such...it wouldn't matter much
I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an "Atta boy" or "Atta girl"
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon destroy

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed
Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well done" good and faithful one

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me

guess who's coming to town?

BETH MOORE!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!!! She will be in town next July, you can find the details (including registration information) by clicking HERE. Seating is general admission which means the earlier you can get there, the better. If anyone would like to join me in heading down at an obscenely geeky time, let me know! (I know I can count on you, Mom.)

She is so fun to watch on video, I can't imagine what it will be like to see her in person. I hope you can make it!!!

everyday princess

I ordered myself a little hair bling last week and it arrived with a few unexpected additions that made me feel so very girly and so very special. The designer's tagline: fairytale jewels for the everyday princess. I felt like a princess as I opened the brightly wrapped package! It reminded me of a beautiful book by Sheri Rose Shepherd, called "His Princess: Love Letters from Your King." Here's an excerpt for you:

My Princess…
YOU ARE MY PRECIOUS DAUGHTER

You are a daughter of the King, and not just any king. You are My daughter, and I am God of heaven and earth. I’m delighted with you! You are the apple of my eye. You’re Daddy’s girl. Your earthly father may love and adore you, but his love is not perfect, no matter how great – or small – it is. Only My love is perfect… because I am Love. I formed your body. I fashioned your mind and soul. I know your personality, and I understand your needs and desires. I see your heartaches and disappointments, and I love you passionately and patiently. My child, I bought you with a price so that we could have an intimate relationship together for all eternity. Soon we will see each other face-to-face – Father and daughter – and you will experience the wonderful place I have prepared for you in paradise. Until then, fix your eyes on heaven, and walk closely with Me. You will know that – although I am God – My arms are not too big to hold you, My beloved daughter.

Love,
Your King and Daddy in heaven

“And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18

If you're interested in purchasing the book, you will find it HERE. Some of the topics include: You Are My True Beauty, Treasure Your Body, See What Matters Most, Don't Ever Compromise, and Fill Your Home with Peace. Each inspiring entry is centered around a particular piece of Scripture. I promise it will stir your heart!

November Faithbooking Lesson

Here's the lesson from our crop on Saturday (just click on it to enlarge). With each monthly lesson, I offer journaling ideas that are light and fun with the option of taking it deeper - something for everyone. Those who attend receive the lesson, along with a photo of the page I created, and supplies to create their own. Since you don't have the benefit of seeing my page, I will explain what I did.

There's been a lot of talk lately around church about "service" so naturally, this month's lesson runs along these lines. You could create a page about yourself using the journaling prompts on the handout. Or, you could use this as an opportunity to create a page about someone who serves you, a person you wouldn't typically consider adding to your album. Is there someone you see regularly at a local gas station or bookstore? How about a favorite doctor or pediatrician? This may sound strange but I'll share a bit of mine as an example.

The page included a photo of my hairstylist. Stacey introduced me to Ming Chu 20 years ago, insisting his spiral perms were THE BEST (they were). Ming continues to serve both my sister and I, which means he knows a lot about the inner workings of our family. He is also a great storyteller - one of my favorites was when he went to Chicago with some friends and ducked into a salon for a quick trim. There was some sort of miscommunication and the woman cut a chunk out of Ming's shoulder-length hair. The more he tried to explain/correct, the more she continued to cut!

What if I showed up Aafusion one day and Ming were no longer there? We may not have a relationship as deep as others in my life, but I am thankful for the fun stories and years of faithful service. I would miss him!

coffee w/sharon

The hot spot this week was Gigi's Cafe, a trendy place on the edge of Uptown. It was actually rated Best Restaurant for Kids by the readers of Parents magazine - which is pretty amazing, considering the food (not your typical kid fare). You can find their menu by clicking HERE and weekly specials by clicking HERE.

It was a crazy day for Sharon and a crazy week for me but we agreed that our time together was a priority.

PS: I found an awesome sermon about "hurry sickness" and the importance of slowing down. You can get to it by clicking HERE. What a great reminder about the damage done by our hurried lifestyles. Very convicting.

rainy days and mondays...

You know the feeling. The subtle, nagging feeling of ICK that creeps in. What do you do when you are feeling down?

Here's what I used to do:

• Complain. Talk about the problem or rotten feeling over and over and over again until my problem seemed REALLY HUGE.
• Ignore. Do everything possible to avoid even thinking about it. This usually resulted in "spillover" with problems popping out other areas of my life.
• Freak. Have a major PMS moment (or multiple moments).

My way never took care of the problem. In fact, it usually made things worse!

The Bible has a lot to say about how we handle stress, depression, and anxiety - in fact, it has a lot to say about life in general. Now when that icky feeling creeps in, I follow God's advice:

• Pray. Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray... James 5:13 (NIV)
• Praise and magnify Him. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, My Help and My God. Psalm 43:5 (NRSV)
• Wait expectantly. But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Micah 7:7 (NASB)

Even my years of counseling cannot compare to His wisdom! When I don't know what to do, I go to the One who does.

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP)

the week in review

My creation, originally uploaded by Tina Vega.

ever had one of THOSE days?

Just goofing around with the family tonight, victimizing my poor husband! (oh, the joys of photo editing...)

FYI: the unibrow was HIS idea.

craziness!!!

I am here, just tied up a bit more than usual! My calendar is packed, task list a mile long.

Life. Impossible to keep up at this pace but necessary at times.

The November Faithbooking Crop is on Saturday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm; hope to see you there!

to my fellow coffeeaholics...

I found this list while surfing the Internet and thought it was worth sharing. You'll either laugh or shake, depending on your caffeine intake today.

Signs you drink too much coffee:

• You answer the door before people knock.
• Juan Valdez named his donkey after you.
• You ski uphill.
• You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.
• You haven't blinked since the last lunar eclipse.
• You lick your coffeepot clean.
• You're the employee of the month at the local coffeehouse and you don't even work there.
• Your eyes stay open when you sneeze.
• You chew on other people's fingernails.
• Your T-shirt says, "Decaffeinated coffee is the devil's blend."
• You can type sixty words per minute ... with your feet.
• You can jump-start your car without cables.
• You don't need a hammer to pound nails.
• You don't sweat, you percolate.
• You've worn out the handle on your favorite mug.
• You go to AA meetings just for the free coffee.
• You walk twenty miles on your treadmill before you realize it's not plugged in.
• You forget to unwrap candy bars before eating them.
• You've built a miniature city out of little plastic stirrers.
• People get dizzy just watching you.
• You've worn the finish off your coffee table.
• Starbucks owns the mortgage on your house.
• Your taste buds are so numb you could drink your lava lamp.
• Instant coffee takes too long.
• When someone says. "How are you?", you say, "Good to the last drop."
• You want to be cremated so you can spend the rest of eternity in a coffee can.
• You can thread a sewing machine, while it's running.
• You think being called a "drip" is a compliment.
• You can't even remember your second cup.

thank you note

I opened the door to what I thought was a customer when this sweet little face greeted me! *A* is huge fan of my pumpkin fudge.

*A* doesn't like chocolate. When I asked what his favorite Halloween candies were, he rated Starburst and Smarties at the top with Skittles close behind. It's hard to find a creamy treat that isn't chocolate, I imagine that's why he is fond of the fudge. Several months after first sharing it with his family, he commented on how much he liked my "pumpkin bars." So when his mom recently asked for the recipe, I knew it was time to whip up another batch. I delivered a hunk (along with the recipe) a couple of days ago. Now, *A* was here with something for me!

He made this adorable thank you note, which included a very fancy Halloween drawing on one side and a picture of him eating fudge on the other (just click on the photos to enlarge).

Isn't that just precious?

star wars fanatics

My husband was a Star Wars fan growing up. He loves all of the props and specialty items available today - that's probably why we have so many of them in our house! It comes as no surprise that our children have repeatedly chosen Star Wars as their costume theme. Meeley is pictured above as Jango Fett - a bounty hunter. Ren was Darth Vader - a costume with several years of experience.

Believe it or not, I have a heart for Darth. It's hard not to after watching all six Star Wars movies. He was simply a man whose twisted and distorted thinking led him down a path of destruction. Pride opened the door to trouble and he ultimately lost everything because of fear and insecurity. The lie he fell for: He was powerful enough to save his wife's life. Ironically, it was Darth's dark descent that killed her. The best part? He experienced a change of heart before he died and received forgiveness from his son.

That has LIFE LESSON written all over it.

What are you holding on to?

For many, it's the past: wounds, loves, mistakes. Some of us have a tendency to romanticize the past, smoothing out every bump and wrinkle. And in doing so, we create a longing for something that never really was. Or, we may get hung up in the past - magnifying every bump and wrinkle, making our past SO BIG it dominates the present.

I remember a time when I would bounce between the two like a yo-yo, never satisfied or content with where I was in the moment. Thank goodness I finally got a GRIP!

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.

But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.

Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this,

but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus.

I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. Philippians 3:12-14 (MSG)

family photo shoot.

My equally-obsessed-with-photography friend Tilly took these shots (and more!) of our family last weekend. Now, if she only had a blog...

hint**hint**hint**

Here's a hint for the theme of our November Faithbooking Lesson...

Our next Faithbooking Crop will be on Saturday, November 10 from 9:00 am-4:00 pm at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in Lakeville. The crops are FREE and include snacks, beverages, and make-and-take supplies. Feel free to work the crop around your schedule, just let me know if you plan to attend and I'll be sure to have a spot ready for you.