Sunday, April 12, 2009

A Glorious Day !

FOURTEEN (14) Miles on Gateway.. a long run for a half marathon coming up.

On Gateway Trail we saw:
226 bicycles (a few we may have seen twice, coming and going)
a half dozen were recombent bikes, a half dozen were bicycles for two
6 dogs with owners
10 rollerbladers, 1 on a skateboard
15 horses on the horse trail beside the black top trail
a dozen or so Twin Cities Bicycle Club members taking a break at Pine Point Park
a couple of black and white cats (I didn't get good pictures)

Fabulous weather for an Easter afternoon run.... around 60 degrees all afternoon.

Due to careless selection of socks for the run, I have a large deep blister on the bottom of my heel... but the heel will heal...

This amazing colored frog was on the trail. A smaller black one hopped away before the picture. The chorus of frogs in the ponds and puddles along the trail was nearly deafening. Spring is here.

Another treat... on the way home from Gateway Trail... we saw the llamas out in their pasture.
And just before we came over the hill .. we had to stop our car for a man walking his dog right down the middle of the road. Interesting.

The worship bulletin for St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi this morning...

Inspiring music: new pipe organ, St. Andrew's orchestra, full adult choir, a children's choir.
Sign Language interpreted
There was considerably more "Christ is risen" than "he is risen" ... which I find graciously inclusive.
It works very marvelously for the response to "Christ is risen" to be
"Christ is risen, indeed!"

And they let us SING!

"Jesus Christ is Risen Today"
"Alleluia! Alleluia" (Beethoven)
"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name"
"I Am the Bread of Life"
"Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds"
"The Day of Resurrection" (same melody as "Lead on Oh King Eternal")
.... "... the Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.
.... From death to life eternal, from sin's dominion free,
.... our Christ has brought us over with hymns of victory."

So.. I'll finish this with the benediction I used when I served congregations:

"May God bless you; may the peace of God which passes understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Risen Christ. Amen."

14 comments:

Beth said...

So glad you had a wonderful day! It's always a lot more fun on a long run when you encounter so many other people out doing their thing.

rocketpants said...

It is a beautiful day! Happy Easter to you too!

jeanne said...

Hoppy Easter! it sounds like a wonderful day.

Vickie said...

Thank you and I'm glad you had a blessed day as well. And nice to enjoy the great outdoors later in the day.

Vickie said...

I forgot to mention, we saw llamas when on the trail the other day as well. And the last time we saw dogs (more than one) in jogging strollers. I guess its true that pets have become part of the family.

Backofpack said...

The best part about your glorious day is your willingness to recognize and embrace it!

And, thank you for your lovely benediction.

ShirleyPerly said...

226 cyclists, WOW!

Nice to hear and see all those signs of spring!!

Lily on the Road said...

Sounds as though you and Sweetpea had a glorious Easter indeed. Praise be to God!

Amytrigirl (aka Amybee) said...

It is so great to be really back in Spring.

Your photos were beautiful as always. Sounds like you had a wonderful Easter:

Anne said...

Sounds like all kinds of people and creatures are popping up on your favorite running route. I'm sure the llamas brought a big smile to everyone's face.

Dori said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful Easter. I love the frog picture. On my run yesterday, I saw two snakes--another sign of spring. Yikes!

Elaine Merrill said...

Love your descriptions, and love the frog! Many thanks, too, for your response to my last blog post.

peter said...

Nice thoughts to aspire to live by, Sunshine. You had a nice day on Gateway Trail.

Rainmaker said...

Very nice - another bike counter! Sometimes I count bikes as well, just for the fun of it.