Beginning with today's post I've started linking the small image to a larger version (800x600) for those of you who want to view/print it

Well, I did it - I survived giving blood this past Sunday without any problems whatsoever. I did my duty and cooked everyone a big breakfast: pancakes, toast, eggs, etc. I can't remember exactly what all I ate that morning, but I was sure to get some food in my body (to avoid the "5am cereal only trying to give blood at Noon" problem from before). It was a pretty cool setup. The Red Cross had a bus equipped with everything they needed inside and they had opened a 10am-3pm window for church members to give. Great idea, I think - and they were giving on behalf of someone a lot of people knew who had been in a car accident a few weeks back. I played hooky from the service since I didn't get done giving until about 11:15am or so. Spent some time visiting with Michael, the youth pastor.

After church we ate lunch at the home of a couple we met a few weeks back when I taught the "Bible Characters with Character" Wednesday night study at the church. Found out that night that they had recently retired (about 3 years ago) to Nashville from Independence, KS, where they had lived for 30+ years. We had a great time eating & visiting with them. It's feeling good to begin to know more people & actually see some familiar faces when we walk into the church each week. We're planning on jumping into Wednesday programs this week. I've signed up for a digital photography group that will meet this semester. Not sure how much I will learn (it should be pretty basic), but it sounds fun & will give me a chance to get to know so more people. They have launched a new push this fall at the church and expanded their offerings to include "Affinity Groups" - small groups of 3+ people with a shared interest. There are groups for bicycling, fly fishing, woodworking, scrapbooking, motorsports, "Film & Faith", book club, drama, and more! I think it's a great idea. These are offered in addition to the rest of their BTR (Bible Teaching/Reaching) classes and small group studies. They published a directory for the fall with all of the affinity/small groups listed with other information about the church inside. Also includes a card to fill out if you are interested in joining a group.