Labor Day?

We had perhaps the most relaxing labor day ever and just hung out around the house.  We are currently working on our front door so we did that.  It was nice to not labor too much for one short weekend.  I just came across this prayer for the holiday and loved it.  I wanted to keep it so I posted it here.

This morning, in place of the Pastoral Prayer, I chose to share this Prayer for those who Labor.  The prayer comes from Chalice Worship. 

God of the rough-worn hands, as we honor workers this day,
let us not forget those whose work is without honor:

those homemakers who watch over children and homes
but are not recognized as workers because they are not paid;
those who are forced out of jobs by corporate changes,
those forced into early retirement,
those who are denied employment because of their age;
those who live far from home,
struggling to save a bit of money to sent to their loved ones;
those who must work illegally in order to survive;
those who lose jobs because employers use undocumented labor.

Christ of the aching back, you worked the rough wood,
you walked the long and dusty roads,
you know the bitter thirst of the poor.
Let our thirst become a passion for justice.
Help us to work toward transformation of economic policies
that allow only a few nations to hoard the world's wealth,
policies that pay women as only half a person or less,
policies that do not recognize the worth of labor exactly without pay

Spirit of creative power, move among us this day.
Heal the wounds we carry because of jobs we hate but must do,
jobs we want but cannot have.
Heal all those who labor to survive.
Renew in us our sense of vocation.
Help us discern your Presence in even the lowliest tasks we face. Amen 

(Chalice Worship, Colbert Cartwright & O.I. Harrison, eds, Chalice Press, 1997, p. 176)

Dutch Wonderland

A lovely friend at church got us free tickets to Dutch Wonderland and so Paul took off Friday so we could venture out as a family.  I haven't been there since I was a child and I don't really have any good memories.  What I do know is that the park was wonderful and perfect for little ones!  Apparently Hershey Park bought it and revamped it. We had a great day.  I highly recommend it to my out of town friends to make it an event when you're in town!!

Noah was so excited for every ride and he loved the crazy wooden roller coaster and went on it twice!  Maeve joined us on the log flume and the cars.  We spent some time in the water park and the huge twirly water slides were a huge hit with everyone, even Maeve.  I was so surprised how well she did on everything.  She has no fear!