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From Life Unto Life

11/26/2014

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At roughly 12:30 p.m., Granddaddy passed.

Mama had spent the majority of the morning sitting beside him after she fed him breakfast. She had taken his blood pressure and it was very low 70-something over 50-something and his breathing was rather gargling sounding. 

When Daddy and I were bringing in firewood earlier this morning, he remarked, "I think Dad is dying." After coming in, I sat and played my guitar for awhile. It was about 12:30 when I remembered I needed to feed my chickens and it was when I went to the back part of the house in preparation for doing so that Mama told me, "I think Granddaddy is gone."

I passed the word up the stairs and went out to feed my chickens while Daddy called the hospice folks. Nurse April arrived as I was going in and as I took my jacket off, I could tell from her talk that Granddaddy was indeed gone.

The ensuing hour and a half was filled with telephone calls and hospice follow up things. About 1:30, the local funeral home removed the earthly remains of my grandfather. Daddy and I helped to place him on the gurney. I volunteered for that because I wanted to do it. (The only funny part about the funeral home folks was the fact that cousin Bob was one of the two men. I had forgotten he worked at the funeral home and Mama had too...so her reaction, "I know you!" was a bit amusing. Bob is a very sweet gentleman...)

The rented supplies are in the process of being removed from the house. 

From here I am not exactly sure what is going on. Daddy must inform Granddaddy's sisters and his siblings...and cousin Butch. We have to decided who all is going to Florida (we can't all go because of Grandma and Grandpa) for the funeral...and multiple other things.

Life is shifting up again. This chapter is nearly closed.

     Racheal

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On Progress and "Pain?"

11/25/2014

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I spent most of the day with my nose glued to one or another of my two computer screens. However, it really was a profitable thing. And it made sense on another front as well. See, it's been one of those days when I have not felt overly well. Not that I could say, "Oh yeah, such and such and this part of me hurts or feels sick". I've just been rather "blah" and tried...and semi-brainless today. My hip has hurt on and off (I tried doing some off the wall push-ups and forgot the idea on the first try because my hip screamed, "How DARE you treat me in such a fashion!!!" Of course, another day it probably wouldn't have even whimpered....but anyway.) And I have had some Lyme stomach burn too...but mainly I have just been having an undistinquished 'don't feel so grand' day. 

On the other hand, I had my nose glued to my editing machine most of the day. Did I already say that? Not exactly, I guess. 

Anyway, I have been working on The Cow Cavalry. I need three men to finish a few things up for me, but I will not start beating down any doors yet. I have most of the visuals to still put together yet, so why should I whine? I managed to fully complete (locked, I think) half a dozen or so over the last two days and worked on probably about a full dozen today. I would have to go dig my notebooks out of the drawer to tell you exactly...

After AfterEffects (oo! that sounds horrid, but how else do I say it?) froze up, I opened up Photoshop. I don't like Photoshop very well, but that's probably only because I don't use it often enough to really learn how it works. Anyway, I went into Photoshop to make lower thirds. Now, technically, I should be able to make lower thirds (with a transparent 'background' in AfterEffects, which I should then be able to layer over my interview footage in Premiere Pro. (Confused yet?) In fact, I have done this before (though I guess, I made the "art work" for those lower thirds in Photoshop as well; but the actual lower third was assembled in AE)...and it worked lovely. There is just something about this project that AE refuses to render a lower third with a transparent background. Black? You got it! Any other color of the spectrum you might choose? Absolutely! Transparent? WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT? 

Okay, okay...

After being frustrated with multiple attempts at different times (gracious! I could even say "different years" here and it would be true!) to make lower thirds in AE, today I decided to spare myself the further growlings about "dumb, stupid computer programs" and try it another way. 

The question you are all dying to have answered, I am sure, is, "Did it work?"

Um. I don't know. 

I had gone ahead and shut Premiere down as well before I opened up Photoshop. I guess we'll just have to wait and find out tomorrow--or whenever I next crank up the beast.

There...I got that update and the urge to write off my chest. I hope you enjoyed it. :) I rather had fun writing this post, so I hope you cracked at least one smile!

Cheekily,

     Racheal

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One of Those Mornings...

11/22/2014

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I don't know if the fact that I did the Babasia Artiminisian (ignore the misspellings of both of those words, please) test yesterday had anything to do with it, but I had a rough morning. The weather being overcast wasn't much help either, I know.

I started out the day not even wanting to get out of bed, but I hauled myself out of my warm comfort before 8 o'clock anyway (8 is late for me). By the time I was washing the breakfast dishes about two hours later, my right hip was really hurting. I had aggravated it last evening. I was sitting on the floor, cross-legged, in front of one of the cabinets attempting to organize a few thing and when I went to get up, I leaned to the right and it felt like what I imagine it must feel like when someone jams a knife into you. So anyway, that carried over into today. (Those BC powders really helped, but I can still feel the ol' Lymie hip...)

Not only was I in pain, but I was dealing with what rather felt like emotional herxing. Then, on top of that, I found out one of my friends had flipped his pick-up truck (it rolled at least three times) and hadn't yet gotten to the hospital to get checked out. He could have been killed, easy. His neck was hurting him badly and he had had blood in one of his ears, so it is possible he has some internal bleeding. I pray not...

So yes...I had a rough morning. Thankfully, while I am still not completely up to snuff, I am feeling better. I think the good cry I had helped. Odd how crying makes one feel better, emotionally, that is. Doesn't seem to do a huge amount of good for the physical pain. (Speaking of which, I have to get out of the habit of sitting with my right leg tucked under me because that makes my hip discomfort worse.)

Ah, well. I really should go wash up the lunch dishes. (You know, I'm not exactly sure that I actually finished up in the kitchen this morning...That is something we Lymie's have to deal with, sometimes more than others, is carry through. Finishing a job. There are times it take me three or four tries before I complete something because I get sidetracked while doing it. Most of the time, I do actually finish what I start though...I think.)

      Racheal

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A Rambly Thought...

11/21/2014

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This morning as I sat in bed, I was looking at my hands. Why, I don't remember. But as I was sitting there, looking at my hands, I had a few thoughts cross them. 

I have been playing the guitar for roughly eleven years, but I doubt that anyone listening to me play would be able to tell that. 

It made me blue for a few minutes...that I'm not as "good" as some other folks are--some of whom have not played nearly as long as I have. But, I have never had any aspirations to really be a professional. Oh sure, I've had those far out dreams of 'someday' having a family band, but I never really expected it.

I have a difficult time with music memorization. It is something I work on--sometimes.

But then, I got to thinking. 

I love music. I love the guitar. These are the reasons I play. Not to awe people with my talent (do I have any?) and my skill. There have been times when I felt like crawling into a corner and bawling and I have gone and picked up my guitar and started playing--and in a relatively short amount of time, have been restored to a more joyful outlook.

So yes; I have been playing 11 years and no, I don't sound as awe-inspiring as I could...but in the long run, so long as I continue to learn (which I do) and enjoy the music I make, it really doesn't matter that I cannot match up to other people. And you know what? Those other musicians don't sneer at me for my lack of gorgeous tone. :) 

I also took the following into consideration: I have had stretches of time were I did not play regularly (summertimes, frequently; or when I was in Florida--for various reasons) and then, with my Lyme, my hands got stiff. I did not realize it at first, but once I did, it helped me see why my playing had seemed to reverse instead of improve. I lost agility and therefore speed, accuracy, and clarity. Thankfully, I have had some improvement on that front. 

I printed off a whole new stack of music last night and I look forward to easing into it. But for now, I have stuff to do that does not have to do with sitting down to essay that.

     Racheal

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Blood...

11/20/2014

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Apparently, my veins run deep...

Savannah and I went in to get our blood drawn for a certain number of blood tests this morning. She had four vials drawn and me six. It took multiple tries and two women to get me flowing. I think next time I'll tell them to start with my left arm, since it seems to work better...and just go ahead and jam the big needle in to start with. What is weird about this is that my left bicep hurts--not where the needle entered. 

After that we went on to the grocery store and I was using my arm rather oddly (like lifting my hand to the basket handle from the shoulder rather than the elbow). It hurt that kind of bad. It still hurts, some three hours later, though I'm not avoiding bending it like that any more. 

Then...I was driving. I don't like driving the little red car one handed very well because it has this factory pre-set that drags the vehicle to the right, most particularly under 60--which the speed limits don't reach between town and home. I cracked some folks up during the lunch prayer when I tacked on, "thank-You we got home safely--especially since I was driving".  I'm really not that awful of a driver, but between having an ouchy arm, being hungry, and having my cap sitting on my eyebrows, I really am thankful we got home without me doing anything dumb.

I have rearranged my desk again...I have yet to decide how well I like it. I guess if I hate it, it won't take too much trouble to switch it back as I had it.

Well, it's time to feed the chickens again...

      Racheal

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A Blowy Day

11/19/2014

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Greetings!

It's been quite blustery today, though a bit warmer (it topped 30 today!)...still, wool coat, tied down ears, and gloves for me. Seeing as I still have meat birds, I do my quad-outing every day feeding and watering the crazy things. They are ten weeks and not as big as maybe we'd like, but neither would I be if I was only fed four times a day and had to live outdoors in the cold and snow...

Anyway, this morning, Daddy and I brought in three loads of wood. A load consists of the back of the go-buggy stacked roughly three feet deep. I rather expected that we were going to continue moving wood for a little longer after we filled the wood room in the basement, but we didn't. 

I've done a little "floating" today...I don't intend to, but it just happens. Blah...what an excuse!!

I played my guitar for a little bit until my left wrist got too stubborn on me (the key of C hurts...I can't help it!!) That was good while it lasted.

I composed an entry for "The War Between the States: A Journal". You do know I kind of like research (though it is pretty easy to get overwhelmed; particularly when I'm out of practice), right?  Well, I have been stumbling on different helpful sites or online books. I started on a second post, but when I accidentally hit a key (or was it one of the cats?) that just about completely wiped out the little I already had, I decided to call that quits. It wasn't flowing right anyway. (Too much distraction looking for more reports, I guess.)

I got my editing computer (aka "the Monster") started defragging, or defracking...whichever...some point before lunch--and it's still at it (nearly six now). I really, really, really hope that it helps. Once I get done with that, Daddy has some other program for me to run since I think the Monster still has a bug on it that the computer guy didn't get off last time it went to the shop. I'll take it back off line as soon as that whole process is done.

Then...believe it or not...I just sat and read for awhile! Definitely a good practice and one I am consciously trying to force myself back into. I still love to read, I just don't. Um...that sounds rather like that excuse I made about "floating", doesn't it?

Anyway, Shelby Foote is quite a writer. He makes history engaging and tickles one's funny bone in the process. This is a prime example:
Having dispatched his letter to the General-in-chief, the convalescent author of the Elements of Military Art and Science sat back and scratched his elbows. It was then that the news of Fishing Creek arrived, and the effect was as if a bomb had been exploded under his desk.
I also like the way he uses quotes from various people as though he were writing a story, rather than just reporting. I guess that is why this series of books is called "The Civil War: A Narrative"... :D

What a horridly clunky post! Sorry about that...smooth sentences are something I seem to be having a problem with recently. Must be some of that "Conversational Fluidity" stuff...or not. I guess I could just be lazy too. ;) (Too, as "instead"...so why didn't I use that? *goofy grin* Okay, I'll buzz off now...I'm getting a little...strange?)

Until my next blog post, yours sincerely,

     Racheal

Gah!!! I went to spell my name with two L's. I NEVER do that!!
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The Scottish Ball + Some

11/18/2014

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Well...now that it is Tuesday after Friday, I am finally getting around to this (while listening to bagpipe music on Grooveshark; I'm not exactly sure what Runty thinks aboot the pipes...she's giving my computer an odd look. :D)

Anyway, I spent most of the last week wound up, excited. I was more excited about seeing "the brothers" than I was the dance itself, though I was looking forward to that too, of course. 

I did finally get Dan's kilt flashes done the day before the ball...and Savannah whipped up Andy's kilt in a day and half (Thursday and Friday; she got home Wednesday). With the fella's stuff all ready we could purdy ourselves up and scram.

We got out later than I wanted too...but shoot, that's normal!
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Anyway, as I mentioned last week, I had an instance where I believed I had come a hair away from breaking my ankle. Well, when I told Mama about it on Thursday morning after I had one of those reoccurring instances of shooting pain in said ankle, she told me to wrap it. Thursday's wrap-job stressed my foot (I carelessly put too much bulk under my arch (or lack of arch; such is the life of a flat foot), but I went ahead and wrapped it most of Friday. Mama gave me strict orders to quit dancing. I "groused" a little, knowing I would do as she said (she was right, after all).

When we arrived, the brothers were in the process of set-up and socks, kilt, and kilt flashes were soon handed over. One by one the players exited stage left and changed. I soon found myself the kilt-flash girl. :D I adjusted Dan's and actually put Andy's on for him. Andy was, how would Caleb put it, "a bundle of nerves" and I didn't mind helping out...

Anyway, I think they ended up looking rather fine, don't you?
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Well, to get on with the ball...we started with the Grand March (which I do enjoy), the Fairy Reel (which honestly, I would enjoy more without the big "Whoo!" when everyone steps into the circle) and the Patty Cake Polka. The Patty Cake Polka is certainly one of my favorites--but I absolutely LOVE the way 7 lb.s of Bacon does it.

After that we switched partners. And...I cannot remember what came next. All I know is that by the time we got around to the Virginia Reel (another favorite), my ankle/foot was hurting. That last bit of sashaying irritated it. It was here that the first break was.

I did the next one after the break, The Spanish Waltz (I really like that one), with an old friend of mine. Poor laddie would have much rather been deer hunting! :D Oh well, by the time we got done with it, he admitted he was starting to have fun. I really, really, really wanted to do the Gay Gordon (it's a toss up whether I like that one or the Virginia Reel better), but I couldn't take the hopping, so I apologized to my friend and limped off to the stage...where I spent most of the remainder of the dance, getting up only to do the Waves of Tory and part of the Broom Dance...but...I got pictures!

The brothers came and checked on me, which I found quite sweet of them and I grinned and clapped (and sang! a little bit) and laughed...and chatted with littles and took pictures. Really though, I got surrounded by little kids--some of whom I didn't know--and it rather felt like old times.

But...I'm sure you'd like to look at the pictures:
It seemed as though the majority of folks were headed to Steak and Shake after the dance (we were out of the building by 11 p.m.) We didn't go, for various reasons...but I cannot imagine. I was tired enough as it was, falling into bed after midnight-thirty...

Anyway, next day, the very tired us's and the very tired R's met for lunch at Bob Evan's. Daddy went with us and therefore got to meet the R's of whom he has heard so much over the last year. He liked them, too. :)

We ate and talked and drank coffee (well, some of us did...) and had an overall enjoyable time. I might say we even "debated" some...but it really was much more of a friendly discussion. Thanks, gents for the conversation! 
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(L-R) Katherine, Caleb, Andy, Dan, Daddy, Me, Savannah (Well...we look something like a photogenic group here. I'm usually not that easy to photograph...)
I spotted a WWII vet at some point over the course of the couple hours we hogged a table and got up and gave him a hug and thanked him for his service. He was a Navy man in the Pacific.

Ah, well...delightful times. Thanks for coming and playing for us! Your musical talent was appreciated! (Maybe we can jam next time... *goofy grin*)

      Racheal

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Pink Camo

11/13/2014

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I hate it. 

I hate pink guns. Pink bows and arrows. Pink camo. 

Give me blued cold hard steel and wooden stocks and grips any day. 

If I were going to wear camo, I would choose the stuff I grew up with-- the odie green, black, and brown of my Daddy's BDUs. 

I think...I think, I may have put my finger on why I hate pink guns and camo this afternoon. I was flipping through the Sportsman's Guide and growling about "pink camo" same as I do when I see gun ads with pink guns. (Okay, so I'm a bit of a snob and seriously poke my nose in the air at baby pink weapons [one of my least favorite colors to begin with].)

It's this: "they" are trying to feminize, to make girly, things that are intrinsically not "girly". Blood and guts are not girly...they are filthy.

Don't get me wrong. I love guns.  
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I even love shooting while looking very much a girl:
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I know how to dirty my hands with blood and guts...and I don't flinch at it.
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(So, I actually enjoy dressing out chickens...there's a knack to it.)

Shoot, I even skinned out and dressed a raccoon before turning his hide into a bag!
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BUT...it's not "girly". 

You can't accuse me of being anti-gun or anti-hunting or anything like that. I believe women should know how to shoot. I believe they should know how to protect themselves. I think it is wise for women to know how to hunt. (Confession: I have never actually been hunting. My six dead coons and chickens do not count.) 

However, I think if it takes pink to get them to touch a firearm, that they just may be better off leaving be. Guns are weapons. Guns are tools. Guns are not "girly". They are strong. Strong is not girly. Strong may be feminine, but girly and feminine are two different things in my book.

So...I hate pink camo. I am a snob. Thank-you. 

Let's go shooting...
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     Racheal

P.S. If you just love baby pink and have scads of pink camo and weapons...it's okay. :) You may feel free to think me a jerk. That's okay too. I know I can be rather weird and stubborn on issues that really are not that important in the scope of things.

May we never surrender our 2nd Amendment Rights. Baby pink guns and everything. 
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Buzzz...buzzz...

11/11/2014

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I am grateful that I have had a pretty decent energy supply so far this week...because like the busy bee I attempted to mimic in the title line, I have been buzzing from one thing to another. Granted, my lines may be at times, as zig-zag as a bees own, but at least I have addressed and completed multiple jobs. ("Jobs" could equal something as small as locating a cuphook for Grandma or something as big as vacuuming the house.)

Maybe I ought to preface any further chit-chat with the mysterious sounding line: I am the only woman at home. ;D No, really, Mama and Katherine left yesterday morning to go "recover" Savannah from the east coast, so I am in charge of the cooking and cleaning...and yes, let's not forget that sewing I'm still doing.

Anyway, yesterday I caught up with the laundry (!)--minus the stuff that just isn't enough to justify running the water into the machine. I cleaned up the mudroom some (in other words, I swept it and grabbed a washcloth and cleaned the strange sticky substance off the floor). I cleaned up and packaged eight dozen eggs (no, more actually...I forgot about the ones I had to pack for M and KT to take to the S's). I fed chickens (duh)...and nearly broke my ankle.   

At least, I had the sense that I nearly broke my ankle. See, I came barging down the basement steps with my feed buckets and I somehow managed to miss the last step. Once I got to thinking about it, I think I was subconsciously avoiding the iron skillets on that bottom step. Anyway, I didn't fall (thankfully, or else I would have not only spilled chicken feed all over the place, but I very well may have busted my head open on the pipes running along the wall and maybe even broken some jars), but I landed with most of my weight through my right foot. Yes, the right one; that's my weak ankle. Anyway, it jarred pretty hard. It didn't actually hurt (as in shooting pain), but it didn't feel good. My ankle was stiff for the rest of the day (still is a little) and the top of my foot still hurts. I'm gimping worse than ever. I really need to go to the chiropractor to get my leg lengthened back out again. 

I cleaned the kitchen and cooked (duh again). I vacuumed the living room and dining room thoroughly. I did some odd straightening. I did a little writing. And...I finished the commissioned baby stuff!! 

Today I completed a few other small tasks--the pumpkin for one. Daddy helped with that. He also made breakfast (for him and Granddaddy; I just had left over mustard greens with my fried eggs) while I tromped out and fed chickens and gathered eggs. I cleaned up the bathroom some. I vacuumed the kitchen (I didn't do it last night for two reasons--1: I didn't want to disturb Granddaddy and 2: I figured since someone was supposed to come over today [cancelled; probably because of the rain and the planned activity don't go together] that it would look better if I vacuumed this morning.) I fed my chickens (boy, that's getting as monotonous as "I did the dishes", isn't it? :D) I folded laundry...I took laundry to the respective rooms in which it belonged.

And here I am going to take minor break from this post. I will complete it later...once I get done with another bit of "buzzing" about!

Later...by a couple of hours.

Well, I got Grandma's bedroom window, ceiling fan, and closet mirrors cleaned up. I cleaned the toilet too, even though she hadn't had that on the itinerary.

Once I was finished in the apartment, I fed chickens again. I cannot remember the exact order of everything after that. I know I put the rabbit on for supper--but then Daddy decided he would attend the Legion dinner if I thought I could handle Granddaddy by myself for a while. I did. I had to give him an ear-full (stern, but not grouchy) about leaving his "sleeves" (literally) on...but as I found later he already had the gauze pulled down past his elbow on his left arm. (His hand slipped on the chair which proceeded to gouge a hole in his arm.) But anyway, while he would not put the right sleeve back on, he agreed to leave the left one on. And he did until Daddy came home and got all his bandages changed up. Granddaddy is what one calls a "picker". He simply cannot leave bandages (or IV's if in the hospital) alone. 

I got started on my next sewing project...the fabric is really nice...but I'll just leave you hanging on that for now. :) If I hadn't had to stop for chickens, dinner, dishes, and yes, being a naggy old cluck-hen at Granddaddy, I might have been able to get all the machine work done. However, I decided not to push the issue. I would rather do a good job than a so-so job because I had split attention.

It occurs to me that I have not gotten my Civil War post up yet today...I shall go remedy that as soon as I get this one posted. 

      Racheal

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The Church of Christ, Part 6

11/9/2014

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I regret to say that I did not get very far today. I got started late and then had trouble concentrating for whatever reason. 

Anyway, the main topic I read of today was the Invisible church. This particular section caused me to sit back on my heels (mentally) and scratch my head. Dr. Morecraft's presentation of the subject was, I will admit, different from what I was expecting. I must apologize if the notes come across rather disjointed.

We begin with Question 64: "What is the invisible church?" A.: The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head.

Dr. Morecraft starts out by making this rather startling (to me) statement:  "The point that is being made here is true and well-taken, but the manner in which the point is expressed by the Westminster Standards is imprecise and misleading. Therefore, we must consider the doctrinal truth set forth, and the imprecision in the way that truth is stated." 

Having been raised on the Confession and Catechism, this visible-invisible church distinction is part of my vocabulary. Once I read a little further, I understood why he would call it "imprecise and misleading", and while I do agree with him, it took a few minutes to sink in. (It also helped when I recognized that he is addressing, though not by name, the Federal Vision. I am a more sketchy on their beliefs than I should be, but I do know they have some aberrant notion about the invisible church.)
First, the church of Jesus Christ has both the attribute of visibility, as we have seen, and the attribute of invisibility. In some aspects it is visible—profession of faith in Christ, congregational worship, the marks of a true church, its government and organization; and in some aspects it is invisible to the human eye, in that it cannot be fully, totally and perfectly comprehended and identified. (548)

The invisibility of the church must never be considered apart from its visibility, because “the church as it exists on earth is both visible and invisible.” 328. Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 565. (549)

Second, the manner in which the church’s attribute of “invisibility” is expressed is imprecise, misleading, and less than Biblical. This visible-invisible description of the church is an old one, used by Augustine, Wycliffe, and was commonly used during the Protestant Reformation...The problem is with the phrase the invisible church (L.C.Q. 64). Is it proper to speak of the invisibility of the church, since the concept is essentially misleading, and more importantly, since the Bible does not distinguish between the visible church and the invisible church? Is better terminology at hand that is less misleading, more enlightening, and more Biblical? (549-550)

In what sense is the phrase, the invisible church, misleading, and how has the idea been abused? Many have assumed that this terminology implies two churches: an invisible church and a visible church, one with different members from the other. (552)

"One may not divide the church into a visible and invisible church. One and the same person is invisible as far as the soul, will, intellect, and affections are concerned, and he is visible as far as his body and motions are concerned. As one person cannot be divided into an invisible and a visible person, one may not divide the church into a visible and invisible church, for then it would seem as if there were two churches,
each being a different church. One may also not divide the church into a visible and invisible church as far as the members themselves are concerned, as if the one had different members from the other." 335 . Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service, 2:5–6. (552)

Most certainly, the Westminster fathers themselves would today share our misgivings about the “visible-invisible” approach to understanding the church of God. To be fair to them, we should point out why they expressed themselves in this manner, distinguishing, but not completely separating the invisible church from the visible church.  (553-554)
Who is a member in the "invisible" church (properly understood)?
The definition of “the invisible church” in the Larger Catechism is, in reality, the definition of the church in its idea and complete sense. (554)

It should again be noted that those whom Jesus will “gather together into one,” are considered to be “the children of God,” BEFORE they are gathered by effectual
calling, while they are still “scattered abroad.” Christ will gather all His chosen children “into one” church under His Headship. (555)
The next section has a rather long heading, but it clearly delineates the next issue: the relation of the whole body of the elect under Christ and the visible church.
"All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved; but they only who are true members of the church invisible." (WLC, Q. 61)

Although the visible church may have some in its membership whose profession of faith appears credible, but whose unregenerate hearts are far from God (2 Tim. 2:19, 20), all of the effectually called elect of God are to be found in the membership of the visible church. The “visible church” includes the “invisible church;” however, they are not totally co-extensive. Although “the same individuals who constitute the church considered as invisible, belong also to the church considered as visible;… many who belong to the visible, are not comprehended in the invisible Church.” 339 
Shaw, The Reformed Faith, 261. (556-557)
What, therefore, are the privileges of the invisible church?
The Larger Catechism Q. 65 says simply that the members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with Him in grace and glory. It then gives its Scriptural support (John 17:21; Eph. 2:5, 6; John 17:24). However, several further Questions grow out of this Answer. Question 66 explains the union and communion believers have with the exalted Christ. Questions 67–68 explain effectual calling as the method by which God brings us into vital union with Christ. Question 69 explains the communion in grace which believers have with Christ. Questions 70–81 explain the ingredients of this communion in grace with Christ as justification, adoption, sanctification, faith, repentance, eternal security, and assurance of salvation. Question 82 explains the communion in glory which believers have with Christ, in this life, immediately after death, and at last perfected at the resurrection and day of judgment. Question 83 explains the nature of our communion in glory with Christ which believers enjoy in this life. Questions 84–85 prepare the way for the answer of Question 86 by explaining death; and
then, Question 86 explains the nature of the communion in glory with Christ which believers enjoy immediately after death. Finally, Questions 87–90 explain this communion in glory which believers will enjoy when they are at last perfected at the resurrection and day of judgment. So then, it is obvious that the Answer to Question 65 is not as simple as it may appear. (557)

First, this communion we have with Christ in grace and in glory, which comprises the blessings of salvation in this world and the next forever, is enjoyed by the chosen of God only because of our union with Christ. We are first united to Christ, and then we are made partakers of His blessings. Communion with Christ is rooted in union with Christ. (558)

Second, this union and communion with God in Christ is the unifying and central promise of all “the covenants of promise.”...This phrase: “I shall be your God, and you shall be My people” “may be designated as the ‘Immanuel principle’ of the
covenant. The heart of the covenant is the declaration that ‘God is with us.’” 341 O. Palmer Robertson, The Christ of the Covenants (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1980), 46. (558)

Third, the chosen of God enjoy the blessings of union and communion with Christ in grace and glory by Christ. (559)
The following subject is the Mission of the Church; I do believe I got through what could be considered the preamble, ceasing my reading at a section heading "The Great Commission". Anyway:
Although the Larger Catechism is regretfully silent regarding the mission of the church of Christ, the Westminster Confession of Faith (XXV, iii), sets forth in clear, although abbreviated language, the mission of the church, the spiritual power making that mission effective, and the divinely-ordained means by which that mission is to be carried out:
"Unto this catholic visible church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, FOR THE GATHERING AND PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS in this life, to the end of the world; and doth, by his own presence and Spirit,
according to his promise, make them effectual thereunto." (560)

In defining the mission of the church as the gathering and perfecting of the saints, the Westminster fathers are not only reflecting Biblical language, they are teaching that the mission of the church is twofold, one aspect of it directed to the sinful world, and another aspect of it directed toward believers in Jesus, members of the
church, i.e., saints. (561)
First, gathering the elect from the world:
...an essential aspect of our evangelism in bringing people to Christ, is bringing them into His visible church, to gather these converts together in the Christian Synagogue under the headship of Christ. Biblical evangelism is the presentation of Jesus Christ boldly and “in the power of the Holy Spirit, that men shall come to put their trust in God through Him, to accept Him as their Savior, and serve Him as their King IN THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS CHURCH.” 350. J. I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1961), 37–38. Emphasis added. (565)
Second, the perfecting of the saints:
Christ has also commissioned His church to perfect those who have been gathered together out of the world into one under Christ. (567)

[Refers to Ephesians 4:11-12]

First, the ascended and exalted Savior, Jesus Christ, to whom all power and authority have been given, has given His church the gifts of “apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers” as offices that are necessary for the maintenance of the unity and purity of the church (Eph. 4:1–10). These offices comprise the preaching and teaching ministry of the church.
Second, the work of the church in its ministry of the Word is “the equipping [or perfecting] of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). The Greek word for “perfecting” is kataptismos, which has a variety of meanings: “to unite and bind together,” “to reduce to order,” “to render
complete, or perfect,” “to prepare or render fit for us,” “to equip.” ...
So then, by means of the preaching and teaching of the Word of God, the Church has the responsibility to prepare, equip and render fit “the saints.”...And by the
ministry of the Word, the Church equips these true believers to live and think in a manner consistent with what God says He has made of them in Christ. They must be taught how to live as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession.” Furthermore, they must be equipped to fulfill the task that has been assigned them—to “proclaim the excellencies of Him” who called them out of darkness into His glorious light. ...
Third, the ministry of the Word has the task of “equipping” the members of the church that the members of the church might be prepared and enabled to participate effectively in “the work of service” and “the building up of the body of Christ.” ...
So then, the church, in its ministry of the Word is to perfect and equip the members of the church to do the work of SERVICE (diakonia) and EDIFICATION (oikodomen) to one another in the church. “The work of SERVICE” refers to the work of mutual service and acts of kindness and compassion by each person of the congregation with one another in Christ-like fashion, for “even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The ministry of the Word has as its purpose equipping believers to serve one another. 
(568-569)
Thus endth today's reading...

     Racheal

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