Month: April 2022

Soaking in the Sun!

My son, our dogs, and myself arrived home early in this morning after spending a day on the beach, Tuesday. Yesterday, we drove home up Hwy 101 through the Redwoods, and into Oregon to catch I-5 at Grants Pass. As we traveled on Hwy 199 we were treated to the lovely view of the native dogwood trees and their happy white blossoms shining in the sun. From the Pacific Coast and its majestic giant redwoods to the humble dogwood – my heart was blessed by the natural beauty of our planet Earth. God’s perfect design. May we be better stewards of our earthly home.


Boo and I have been working from home today, grateful for the journey to be with my mom during her procedure and recovery, and the precious time with my son and his dog, Kai. Pictured above is Boo spending time on my moms back patio, nose pointed into he wind, soaking in the sun. Oh – and I am very cold today back in the PNW. Brrrr. -Pastor Denise

Photo Credit – Denise Aanenson

Our Ongoing Anti-Racism Work

Jennifer Drury, April 21
My dad gave me the book, Black, White, and The Grey which he may have been drawn to because at one point he thought of becoming a restauranteur and I am sure the business side of it is fascinating to him.  Even though I did not inherit his interest in business, I got caught right up in the story because it is about so much more than that. (And I’ll admit the business details are kind of interesting.) 

Here is my favorite quotation from the book so far. “Don’t get me wrong. In spite of decreasing popularity in recent years, I’m not against White men. I happen to be one. While there is much wrong with a homogenous group setting all of the rules in a theoretically diverse society, there is nothing inherently wrong with being White and male.” The co-authors of this book are a Black woman and White man who are partners in a noble venture to open a new kind of restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. This is the story of the challenges and successes of their relationship and their restaurant. Bonus: it has recipes!

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/602192/black-white-and-the-grey-by-mashama-bailey-and-john-o-morisano/


Black, White, and The Grey by Mashama Bailey, John O. Morisano: 9781984856203 – PenguinRandomhouse.com

About Black, White, and The Grey. A story about the trials and triumphs of a Black chef from Queens, New York, and a White media entrepreneur from Staten Island who built a relationship and a restaurant in the Deep South, hoping to bridge biases and get people talking about race, gender, class, and culture. www.penguinrandomhouse.com

Signs of Hope!

Probably because I grew up in the desert, I am intrigued by the plant and animal life that lives in such environments. God’s creation is so wonderfully and perfectly balanced, allowing life in a sparse land to thrive. As we drove south on Hwy 93 in northern Nevada, my heart reflected on the time in-between Jesus death and His resurrection as the women waiting to tend to His body after sabbath. I wondered if they felt as if they were wondering in the desert, hopeless and dissolute. Yet, over on those hills, you see snow and rain clouds hovering over them as the sun begins to set. Life and hope waiting to be discovered as the snow melts. For the women, all would be revealed in the morning, Jesus had risen, Jesus had risen, indeed!
-Pastor Denise
Photo Credit – Denise Aanenson

Easter Sunday!

6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:6-8 (RSVP)
Pastor Denise
Art Credit – Church Art