Singing Owl at RevGalBlogPals posts the following:
Yesterday I had two separate conversations in which people were musing about how much change is occurring. The WW II generation, of which my mom is a part, went from horse and buggy to automobiles, saw the lessening, or even the end of many diseases, went from widespread use of kerosene lamps and outhouses (in the country, and most folks were rural)) to a totally electrified and plumbed society. The fastest means of communication was a telegraph. The second conversation--gulp--was about MY generation and how much change occurred in the last half of the 20th century. The person said his 13 year old had not seen a vinyl record album until a few days before, couldn't remember a time without cell phones, and on and on.As for the questions!
1. What modern convenience/invention could you absolutely, positively not live without?
I'm spoiled and I admit it! I could live without most of our conveniences today, but I love having the ability to connect via internet and yes, cell phone.
2. What modern convenience/invention do you wish had never seen the light of day?Why?
VideoGames (for my son) and Computer Card Games (for me). We get less from them than they cost us. We lose time for outdoor or reading activities as well as genuine interaction with other people. On the other hand, manBoy and G&T now have common music knowledge as Guitar Hero has some great oldies - make that classics-on it. manBoy plays them on Guitar Hero. G&T plays them on the real thing. Last night he was playing on his newish Les Paul and manBoy named most of the songs within the first few notes.
3. Do you own a music-playing device older than a CD player? More than one? If so, do you use it (them)?
We have a working turntable, and more than one cassette player along with multiple CD players and more mp3 players than we have people in our house. We seem to collect ways to listen to music. We also still have about 40 LP's to play on the turntable, but we rarely do it. Usually it's when we are telling manBoy about some group or song from our youth. We don't have an 8 track tape player. I burned mine up playing Best of Bread over and over again in High School. I tried to get G&T to ditch some of the cassette tapes recently, but he fears he will need to listen to a song for a band gig at some point.
4. Do you find the rapid change in our world exciting, scary, a mix...or somethingelse?
I'm assuming that I'm in the same generation as Singing Owl. Rapid change is all I know. It's neither scary nor exciting. It just is.
5. What did our forebears have that we have lost and you'd like to regain?
Homemade Jelly - specifically the plum jelly my grandmother used to make.
Bonuspoints if you have a suggestion of how to begin that process.
Well, I am not gifted in the cooking area, so perhaps what I will do is go to the local farmers market where they sell homemade jellies and support their efforts.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Obey
That was my word for the cruise retreat - obey. Hmmmph.
My first reaction is I don't want to obey. I want others to obey me. Okay, that probably has something to do with 20 years as a teacher.
My next reaction was to question whether I have obeyed, whether I am obeying by taking the position in the conference office. Did I take the easy way out? Or am I right where God wants me to be? Ponder. Worry. Go before Board of Ordained Ministry and try to convince them and myself this is where God and the Bishop have sent me.
Then I got busy doing my job and didn't think about it so much.
Then the whole go to Vietnam thing came up. In my small group last Saturday, one of my friends asked, "Do you want to go? You keep saying you have to go." I couldn't explain to her this sense of being compelled and whether I want to or not is irrelevant. It is indeed very exciting ....and scary.... to think about.
I realized this morning that whole concept of whether I want to being irrelevant is what "Obey" is all about. In the Prayer of Confession in the UMC Communion Liturgy, we find the words "free us for joyful obedience." Joyful obedience. That's what this letting go of all the reasons not to do something and just waiting to see how God will work it out feels like.
Because strict obedience was demanded in my childhood, I have never associated obedience with joy or freedom. Now I'm finding both. It is rather freeing to just be willing to go with what comes instead of orchestrating everything with very tight control. Isn't growing fun?
God of love, thank you for all you have and are revealing in my life. Give me courage to discover the joy and freedom of obedience. Amen.
My first reaction is I don't want to obey. I want others to obey me. Okay, that probably has something to do with 20 years as a teacher.
My next reaction was to question whether I have obeyed, whether I am obeying by taking the position in the conference office. Did I take the easy way out? Or am I right where God wants me to be? Ponder. Worry. Go before Board of Ordained Ministry and try to convince them and myself this is where God and the Bishop have sent me.
Then I got busy doing my job and didn't think about it so much.
Then the whole go to Vietnam thing came up. In my small group last Saturday, one of my friends asked, "Do you want to go? You keep saying you have to go." I couldn't explain to her this sense of being compelled and whether I want to or not is irrelevant. It is indeed very exciting ....and scary.... to think about.
I realized this morning that whole concept of whether I want to being irrelevant is what "Obey" is all about. In the Prayer of Confession in the UMC Communion Liturgy, we find the words "free us for joyful obedience." Joyful obedience. That's what this letting go of all the reasons not to do something and just waiting to see how God will work it out feels like.
Because strict obedience was demanded in my childhood, I have never associated obedience with joy or freedom. Now I'm finding both. It is rather freeing to just be willing to go with what comes instead of orchestrating everything with very tight control. Isn't growing fun?
God of love, thank you for all you have and are revealing in my life. Give me courage to discover the joy and freedom of obedience. Amen.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
I Think I Have to Go to Vietnam...
but we'll talk more on Saturday. That's what I told my friend Amy just before I hung up from a very brief phone call on Friday morning.
I spent two days at the United Methodist Church Mission Initiative Summit last week. I went because our Volunteers In Mission (VIM)coordinator thought it would be helpful to have extra eyes and ears to attend more of the sessions. On the first day, I ate lunch with a couple who are missionaries to Vietnam. We discovered that I went to seminary with their son. We both graduated last May. It was a nice social conversation.
Then I asked the VIM coordinator which breakout session she wanted me to attend. She said Asia as she didn't know much about UM work there. So off I went. There were presentations on the misison work in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and others. I took notes so I would be able to share the information back at the office. Then the couple from Vietnam got up to speak. They too presented a power point on the church starts and the pastor training that is happening there. It was interesting. Then they started a second powerpoint presentation on Agent Orange. They showed pictures of children and young adults who have a variety of physical disabilities. Over and over again, they said he or she cannot walk and cannot talk. These children were pictured in their mother's arms or on the floor. There were no wheel chairs. There was no special seating that would support a body unable to support itself.
My heart cried. Here I am trying to help churches reach out to and welcome families of persons with disabilities. Families who have wheelchairs for their children but don't feel welcome in church. In Vietnam there are mothers who carry their children to church because they have no wheelchairs.
The church where we were meeting has a special needs Sunday School room. I took the woman missionary down there and showed her some of the special seating equipment that is available. I explained my background in teaching children with disabilities. I began discussing the best way to get equipment to them (buy and ship or send money for them to order...). I talked to them about ways children can communicate without speaking. Then her husband asked, "Can you come to Vietnam?" I told him it might be possible although I didn't have any idea how to make it come about.
Day 2: I had lunch with our VIM coordinator and told her "I think I have to go to Vietnam." I told her the rest of the story. She feels, like I do, that it was a God thing that I wound up in that particular presentation. About that time, a VIM coordinator from another conference walks up. The two of them begin to talk and he mentions that he attended the Asia session as his conference is planning to expand their mission work into Vietnam. They are in fact planning a trip in the next twelve months. My friend told him my story, so now it is a real possibility that I will go to Vietnam sometime soon to scope out the needs so I can come back and raise funds for equipment and medical care. Look out, I see a soapbox with my name on it.
I know one group I will ask. Our conference has several churches who offer respite care for children with disabilities. I'm thinking that the families who use these services might like an opportunity to help someone else. Part of healthy living with chronic illness or disability is feeling like you are contributing and not always needing.
This is soooooo far from preaching in a little church somewhere. God are you laughing at me?
I spent two days at the United Methodist Church Mission Initiative Summit last week. I went because our Volunteers In Mission (VIM)coordinator thought it would be helpful to have extra eyes and ears to attend more of the sessions. On the first day, I ate lunch with a couple who are missionaries to Vietnam. We discovered that I went to seminary with their son. We both graduated last May. It was a nice social conversation.
Then I asked the VIM coordinator which breakout session she wanted me to attend. She said Asia as she didn't know much about UM work there. So off I went. There were presentations on the misison work in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and others. I took notes so I would be able to share the information back at the office. Then the couple from Vietnam got up to speak. They too presented a power point on the church starts and the pastor training that is happening there. It was interesting. Then they started a second powerpoint presentation on Agent Orange. They showed pictures of children and young adults who have a variety of physical disabilities. Over and over again, they said he or she cannot walk and cannot talk. These children were pictured in their mother's arms or on the floor. There were no wheel chairs. There was no special seating that would support a body unable to support itself.
My heart cried. Here I am trying to help churches reach out to and welcome families of persons with disabilities. Families who have wheelchairs for their children but don't feel welcome in church. In Vietnam there are mothers who carry their children to church because they have no wheelchairs.
The church where we were meeting has a special needs Sunday School room. I took the woman missionary down there and showed her some of the special seating equipment that is available. I explained my background in teaching children with disabilities. I began discussing the best way to get equipment to them (buy and ship or send money for them to order...). I talked to them about ways children can communicate without speaking. Then her husband asked, "Can you come to Vietnam?" I told him it might be possible although I didn't have any idea how to make it come about.
Day 2: I had lunch with our VIM coordinator and told her "I think I have to go to Vietnam." I told her the rest of the story. She feels, like I do, that it was a God thing that I wound up in that particular presentation. About that time, a VIM coordinator from another conference walks up. The two of them begin to talk and he mentions that he attended the Asia session as his conference is planning to expand their mission work into Vietnam. They are in fact planning a trip in the next twelve months. My friend told him my story, so now it is a real possibility that I will go to Vietnam sometime soon to scope out the needs so I can come back and raise funds for equipment and medical care. Look out, I see a soapbox with my name on it.
I know one group I will ask. Our conference has several churches who offer respite care for children with disabilities. I'm thinking that the families who use these services might like an opportunity to help someone else. Part of healthy living with chronic illness or disability is feeling like you are contributing and not always needing.
This is soooooo far from preaching in a little church somewhere. God are you laughing at me?
Monday, April 14, 2008
Wound Up Tight
You've heard the terms "uptight" and "loosen up." I had a conversation with a friend that prompted an interesting visual image. It seems to me that we have this imaginary spring inside us that keeps us together - keeps us from flying into a thousand pieces. The end of the spring is attached to an imaginary screw with it's head on our back (like baby dolls with battery compartments). When we face difficult times and it seems like we are in danger of "losing it" or "falling apart" even just a little, we turn the screw and tighten the spring hoping to hold it all together a little better. Sometimes, we loosen the spring later, but mostly we don't. We just live with this new state of tightness until it feels normal. When the next adversity comes along we repeat the process. Winding ourselves a little tighter. It works. We manage to hold it all together. The only problem is that everytime we tighten the spring, we lose a little fluidity in our movements - both physical and emotional. Our shoulders draw up. Our brows furrow. The last thing to go is our smile - lips become pursed. This also explains the meaning of tight--- that refers to one's backside. Emotionally, we become so absorbed in keeping ourselves in tact and not disolving into crying jags or angry outbursts that we are no longer able to experience joy.
I believe that the RevGal BE did some serious loosening of my spring. I see now that I can't play and enjoy life if I can't move either internally or externally. The joy I found there was directly related to letting go of my tight hold. That had begun before we left, but reached a whole new level of freedom on the deck of the boat.
Since I've been back, the spring has been tightened some with daily responsibilities, and friends facing difficulties. I was a little discouraged that the joy level seemed to dip. I understand now that it isn't all about staying loose all the time, but about remembering to loosen up every now and then.
I realize that our family has a collective spring too. It's been wound just about to the breaking point over the last 18 months. Now it is time for us to loosen up. We are moving toward that goal, but it is slow.
God of Joy and Pain, thank you for the light and loose times. Thank you for walking with us during the uptight times too. Remind us that you are truly what can hold us together when we need it. Amen.
I believe that the RevGal BE did some serious loosening of my spring. I see now that I can't play and enjoy life if I can't move either internally or externally. The joy I found there was directly related to letting go of my tight hold. That had begun before we left, but reached a whole new level of freedom on the deck of the boat.
Since I've been back, the spring has been tightened some with daily responsibilities, and friends facing difficulties. I was a little discouraged that the joy level seemed to dip. I understand now that it isn't all about staying loose all the time, but about remembering to loosen up every now and then.
I realize that our family has a collective spring too. It's been wound just about to the breaking point over the last 18 months. Now it is time for us to loosen up. We are moving toward that goal, but it is slow.
God of Joy and Pain, thank you for the light and loose times. Thank you for walking with us during the uptight times too. Remind us that you are truly what can hold us together when we need it. Amen.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Another Big Event
I learned yesterday that my High School Reunion is 109 days away. The organizers have set up a website and made plans for several activities - one of them is referred to as "The Big Event." I have mixed feelings about this reunion. I have changed a great deal (both internally and externally) in the last 30 years as would be expected. But I've changed and grown tons just in the last 6 years. I wonder how hard it will be to explain all the changes I/we have gone through since I left teaching. Will I even want to? Who there will care? There are a few people that I was close to in high school that I would want to reconnect with. I have a friend who read my blog soon after I first started it. She said, "It's like reading about someone I don't know."
On a lighter note, for the most part High School was fun and I do look forward to seeing many people I haven't seen in a long time. So, regardless of how deep the sharing goes, I can go and have fun if I don't let myself get too bogged down in seriousness.
On a lighter note, for the most part High School was fun and I do look forward to seeing many people I haven't seen in a long time. So, regardless of how deep the sharing goes, I can go and have fun if I don't let myself get too bogged down in seriousness.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Lists in Progress
Okay, I'm too tired to finish the link lists on the side bar. If your blog isn't there and you think it should be, leave me a comment. I know I'm missing at least one BE and I haven't started my other blog friends yet.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Joy Revisited
Just had a teary call from a long time friend/church member who has watched me go through lots over the last 13 years. She had just read my blog. She (through her tears) told me she's been praying for me to find joy for some time now. She felt it was missing from my ministry, but also knew it would have to be a Spirit thing. God is good. Friends who pray for you are good.
Friday Five
I'm really tired, but I want to do the Friday Five. The questions have been saved all day waiting for me to get to them. So here goes:
With this Sunday's gospel reading in mind, that wonderful revelation of Christ to the companions on the Emmaus road. I wonder where you might have been surprised by God's revelation recently.
So with no further waffle I offer you this weeks Friday 5:
How has God revealed him/herself to you in a:
1. Book - Scripture! There are lots of others, but when I want to find God, I go to scripture. Most often the Psalms. This isn't just a cheesy answer - you can ask DogBlogger. I love the way my Bible feels in my hands. I love the images it paints... the beauty of the written word.....
2. Film - I'm just going to have to pass on this one. Don't watch many. Brain to tired to think.
3. Song - Something Beautiful - UMH # 394
Lyrics are: Something beautiful, something good;
All my confusion he understood.
All I had to offer him was brokeness and strife,
But he made something beautiful of my life.
4. Another Person - Definitely 20 other women on the aft deck at the BE. But also today a long-time friend.
5. Creation - Blues, turquoise, green - thousands of shades in the Gulf of Mexico. I didn't take a camera - I've just been "borrowing" pics from other blogs.
Bonus answer: your choice- share something encouraging/ amazing/ humbling that has happened to you recently!
I've already blogged these :-) See below.
With this Sunday's gospel reading in mind, that wonderful revelation of Christ to the companions on the Emmaus road. I wonder where you might have been surprised by God's revelation recently.
So with no further waffle I offer you this weeks Friday 5:
How has God revealed him/herself to you in a:
1. Book - Scripture! There are lots of others, but when I want to find God, I go to scripture. Most often the Psalms. This isn't just a cheesy answer - you can ask DogBlogger. I love the way my Bible feels in my hands. I love the images it paints... the beauty of the written word.....
2. Film - I'm just going to have to pass on this one. Don't watch many. Brain to tired to think.
3. Song - Something Beautiful - UMH # 394
Lyrics are: Something beautiful, something good;
All my confusion he understood.
All I had to offer him was brokeness and strife,
But he made something beautiful of my life.
4. Another Person - Definitely 20 other women on the aft deck at the BE. But also today a long-time friend.
5. Creation - Blues, turquoise, green - thousands of shades in the Gulf of Mexico. I didn't take a camera - I've just been "borrowing" pics from other blogs.
Bonus answer: your choice- share something encouraging/ amazing/ humbling that has happened to you recently!
I've already blogged these :-) See below.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
It is over!
I made it through the interview that would deterimine if I continue into year 2 of my residency. For you non-United Methodists and average people, residency is probationary clergy status. Clergy but not yet ordained. At this time it lasts 3 years. Some people including DogBlogger are working to shorten it via General Conference.
At any rate, I have been approved to go on to the next year. This is really good news, as they could easily have said that my temporary appointments.... did not give me the growth I needed in year one. Or worse, that I simply hadn't grown this year.
I have recommendations for growth. Anyone know of a couple of men from my home church who could come to my Lay Committee Meetings during weekdays and would push me to grow? I have to learn in a year how to articulate how I am called to be an Elder in my current position which is not in a church.
I also have to get better at articulating answers to theological questions on the fly. I'm okay when I can think and write. Not so good "on my feet." Vicar of Hogsmeade gave me some good ideas for using my teaching background to get better at this. She suggested that as I go through my day, I consider how I would use various objects I encounter in children's sermons. Now, I did children's sermons for 5 years. This I can do. Thanks for the tip.
I need to go to bed, so Good Night Gracie.
Oh, but one more thing - I made 2 miles on the Elyptical Trainer tonight. I've been adding 1/2 mile to my total movement each week. I've been mixing walking with using the cardio machines. Tonight, I only had to walk 1/2 mile because I made 2 whole miles on the machine! See what a little line dancing will do for ya!
At any rate, I have been approved to go on to the next year. This is really good news, as they could easily have said that my temporary appointments.... did not give me the growth I needed in year one. Or worse, that I simply hadn't grown this year.
I have recommendations for growth. Anyone know of a couple of men from my home church who could come to my Lay Committee Meetings during weekdays and would push me to grow? I have to learn in a year how to articulate how I am called to be an Elder in my current position which is not in a church.
I also have to get better at articulating answers to theological questions on the fly. I'm okay when I can think and write. Not so good "on my feet." Vicar of Hogsmeade gave me some good ideas for using my teaching background to get better at this. She suggested that as I go through my day, I consider how I would use various objects I encounter in children's sermons. Now, I did children's sermons for 5 years. This I can do. Thanks for the tip.
I need to go to bed, so Good Night Gracie.
Oh, but one more thing - I made 2 miles on the Elyptical Trainer tonight. I've been adding 1/2 mile to my total movement each week. I've been mixing walking with using the cardio machines. Tonight, I only had to walk 1/2 mile because I made 2 whole miles on the machine! See what a little line dancing will do for ya!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Because We're Twelve
Dog Blogger and I decided to get ...
matching tatoos aboard ship.
They aren't permanent, but they are a reminder of our great time at the BE.
Because twelve year olds run in packs, a few others....
matching tatoos aboard ship.
They aren't permanent, but they are a reminder of our great time at the BE.
Because twelve year olds run in packs, a few others....
followed suit.
I actually wound up a couple of people behind Dog Blogger because I had to run over and do the Electric Slide while it was playing. Just a small joy detour on the way to another joy.
One of these is permanant. It is the only tatoo I would ever consider getting for real. It says "hesed" in Hebrew. God's steadfast, never ending, compassionate love. That's something I might consider permanantly inscribing on my body. It is something I try to inscribe on my heart.
By the way this worked great as an April Fools with my boss, not so much with manBoy.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Joy
22By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
I'm back from the Rev Gal Big Event and it was a wonderful time of physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal. I have several revelations to share and most of them will make it to the blog in due time. But the one that is most prominent in my mind and heart is "joy."
I had a great deal of fun on this trip and experienced several moments of pure joy: Riding on the bow of the catamaran across water that was countless shades of blue and turquoise. Snorkling and seeing at least 20 different kinds of vibrantly colored tropical fish in spite of the fact there were 40 of us in the water. Line dancing on the deck of same catamaran (much easier said than done, trust me.) Listening to my sisters in Christ as they shared their heart stories. Watching someone I admire see beauty in herself. Did I mention the blue green ocean in a thousand shades? Did you know that sea foam green is a real color in the wake of a ship? God's creation is truly awesome.
All this joy filled me up and made me smile even when I wasn't thinking about it. It made me realize joy has been missing from my life for a good while. I haven't smiled spontaneously in a long long time. Nov. 2006 to the end of 2007 was a hard period in our lives. In the last few weeks, as I began to feel rested and not tired all the time, I have been more joyful. I noticed the change when people ask me how I'm doing and I really am "good" or "well" as I usually respond.
The evening at the end of the day with the catamaran ride and snorkling, I was doing some of the "homework" we were given the option of doing as a part of our retreat. The scripture reading was the above passage. I have read this passage many times, but it never really dawned on me that not only is joy listed as Fruit of the Spirit, it comes second only after love. I had not really thought that being Spirit filled would/should bring joy.
I am coming to realize that joy is part of the lesson I am to learn while in my position at the conference office. This position is important, but doesn't require as much of my energy as pastoring a church. I have the time to learn about joy, and re-creation, and fun right now in this place.
You may ask why joy is a lesson to be learned. Here's the message I'm getting. "Who wants a pastor for whom every task is a duty and burden? How can a pastor who never finds joy be effective ?" I've been so tired for so long and fighting such difficult times, I had forgotten how to find joy in the journey. This is not to say that one has to be up and happy inspite of all circumstances. Joy is not happiness. Joy is a deep down thing that goes beyond circumstances. It involves finding the good in life inspite of the hard stuff.
Today, as I pondered what to put in this post, I Corinthians 13 came to mind. If love is listed first as Fruit of the Spirit and joy is listed next, I wondered what would happen if I replaced the word love with the word joy. How would that read? How would it speak to me? So with apologies to Paul, here it is:
1If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have joy, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have joy, I am nothing. 3If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have joy, I gain nothing. I Corinthians 13:1-3
Hmmm. Powerful stuff. I wonder what would happen if I work my way down the list of Fruit of the Spirit. Perhaps in the coming weeks.
God of wonder, God of love, thank you for the blessing of joy. Help me share it with those around me. Amen.
I'm back from the Rev Gal Big Event and it was a wonderful time of physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal. I have several revelations to share and most of them will make it to the blog in due time. But the one that is most prominent in my mind and heart is "joy."
I had a great deal of fun on this trip and experienced several moments of pure joy: Riding on the bow of the catamaran across water that was countless shades of blue and turquoise. Snorkling and seeing at least 20 different kinds of vibrantly colored tropical fish in spite of the fact there were 40 of us in the water. Line dancing on the deck of same catamaran (much easier said than done, trust me.) Listening to my sisters in Christ as they shared their heart stories. Watching someone I admire see beauty in herself. Did I mention the blue green ocean in a thousand shades? Did you know that sea foam green is a real color in the wake of a ship? God's creation is truly awesome.
All this joy filled me up and made me smile even when I wasn't thinking about it. It made me realize joy has been missing from my life for a good while. I haven't smiled spontaneously in a long long time. Nov. 2006 to the end of 2007 was a hard period in our lives. In the last few weeks, as I began to feel rested and not tired all the time, I have been more joyful. I noticed the change when people ask me how I'm doing and I really am "good" or "well" as I usually respond.
The evening at the end of the day with the catamaran ride and snorkling, I was doing some of the "homework" we were given the option of doing as a part of our retreat. The scripture reading was the above passage. I have read this passage many times, but it never really dawned on me that not only is joy listed as Fruit of the Spirit, it comes second only after love. I had not really thought that being Spirit filled would/should bring joy.
I am coming to realize that joy is part of the lesson I am to learn while in my position at the conference office. This position is important, but doesn't require as much of my energy as pastoring a church. I have the time to learn about joy, and re-creation, and fun right now in this place.
You may ask why joy is a lesson to be learned. Here's the message I'm getting. "Who wants a pastor for whom every task is a duty and burden? How can a pastor who never finds joy be effective ?" I've been so tired for so long and fighting such difficult times, I had forgotten how to find joy in the journey. This is not to say that one has to be up and happy inspite of all circumstances. Joy is not happiness. Joy is a deep down thing that goes beyond circumstances. It involves finding the good in life inspite of the hard stuff.
Today, as I pondered what to put in this post, I Corinthians 13 came to mind. If love is listed first as Fruit of the Spirit and joy is listed next, I wondered what would happen if I replaced the word love with the word joy. How would that read? How would it speak to me? So with apologies to Paul, here it is:
1If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have joy, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have joy, I am nothing. 3If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have joy, I gain nothing. I Corinthians 13:1-3
Hmmm. Powerful stuff. I wonder what would happen if I work my way down the list of Fruit of the Spirit. Perhaps in the coming weeks.
God of wonder, God of love, thank you for the blessing of joy. Help me share it with those around me. Amen.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Big Decisions - Planning for the Future
For what seemed like a very long time, we have not been able to plan more than a couple of weeks ahead when it came to finances and living arrangements. manBoy started high school this year knowing we could move sometime during the school year. Now that my appointment is settled at least until June '09, we are beginning to make longer term decisions.
Today, manBoy turned in his letter of commitment to the new high school that will be opening next fall. This school will be small - less than 300 students to start- and be different from most high schools. Learning will be project based. Project assignments are made at the beginning of a teaching unit and teaching focuses on what the student needs to know to complete the project. Collaboration, work ethic, and communication skills are included in the grade along with content knowledge. Someone besides mom will be telling him that working hard and well with others is important. The technology level of this school is higher than the other high school. Each student will have a laptop computer checked out to him/her. manBoy is excited about this. He will be able to continue his athletics (cross country and track) at the main high school then go to the new school afterwards.
As for G&T and I, we just made arrangements to refinance our mortgage. We were in an ARM that adjusted up a year ago, but we had no idea how long we would be in the house or if G&T would be working. G&T has been working for a year now. I know where I'm appointed. The time has come. We bit the bullet and moved to a shorter loan. Slightly higher payments, but earlier security of a place to live when we retire.
It feels really good to plan ahead a little. I know that I should be able to trust God and go with the flow. We did better at that some months than we did during others. We are no longer just maintaining while we wait to hear. This is nice.
Next steps in the planning ahead game: Internet Service and debt reduction.
Loving God, I know that life can change in an instant. My time at the hospital showed me that. Thank you for this time of peace, and less uncertainty. Thank you for the home we live in, for the schools that are available for manBoy, for the jobs we have, and most of all for the certainty that you are always with us. Amen.
Today, manBoy turned in his letter of commitment to the new high school that will be opening next fall. This school will be small - less than 300 students to start- and be different from most high schools. Learning will be project based. Project assignments are made at the beginning of a teaching unit and teaching focuses on what the student needs to know to complete the project. Collaboration, work ethic, and communication skills are included in the grade along with content knowledge. Someone besides mom will be telling him that working hard and well with others is important. The technology level of this school is higher than the other high school. Each student will have a laptop computer checked out to him/her. manBoy is excited about this. He will be able to continue his athletics (cross country and track) at the main high school then go to the new school afterwards.
As for G&T and I, we just made arrangements to refinance our mortgage. We were in an ARM that adjusted up a year ago, but we had no idea how long we would be in the house or if G&T would be working. G&T has been working for a year now. I know where I'm appointed. The time has come. We bit the bullet and moved to a shorter loan. Slightly higher payments, but earlier security of a place to live when we retire.
It feels really good to plan ahead a little. I know that I should be able to trust God and go with the flow. We did better at that some months than we did during others. We are no longer just maintaining while we wait to hear. This is nice.
Next steps in the planning ahead game: Internet Service and debt reduction.
Loving God, I know that life can change in an instant. My time at the hospital showed me that. Thank you for this time of peace, and less uncertainty. Thank you for the home we live in, for the schools that are available for manBoy, for the jobs we have, and most of all for the certainty that you are always with us. Amen.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Suffering
I've been thinking about suffering of late. I grew up believing that all suffering (especially my own) should be prevented or alleviated. Our society seems to think that way too. We are shocked when hard things happen in our lives. I was recently listening to a Nancy Griffith song about her aunt and uncle in the Great Depression. It seems like 75 years ago, suffering was expected as a part of life. I wonder if we would cope better with the hard events of life if we just accepted that suffering will come. It will be a part of our lives more than once.
I know I already am. Last year when G&T was laid off, I really struggled. I asked myself, "Why?" I believe it was because the suffering free life I had worked so hard to create was threatened. I see now that if I will quit judging whether or not life is good by how hard or easy it is, I will be a more content person.
Now, this is not to say that we should not continue all efforts to alleviate the suffering that comes with poverty, disease, and oppression. In fact if I am more willing to suffer myself, I will probably be more willing to step out to care for others.
Just thinking and praying....
I know I already am. Last year when G&T was laid off, I really struggled. I asked myself, "Why?" I believe it was because the suffering free life I had worked so hard to create was threatened. I see now that if I will quit judging whether or not life is good by how hard or easy it is, I will be a more content person.
Now, this is not to say that we should not continue all efforts to alleviate the suffering that comes with poverty, disease, and oppression. In fact if I am more willing to suffer myself, I will probably be more willing to step out to care for others.
Just thinking and praying....
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Top 10 Reasons I Haven't Blogged
After months of blogging about my uncertain future, I'm finally living it!
1. Okay, now I have a real job and I'm a lot busier.
2. I'm going to the Y to work out 3 x per week. My goal is moving for a total of 9 miles per week with a combo of walking and cardio machines. I'm adding 1/2 mile each week. I'm up to 7 miles per week. When I get to 9 miles, I'll increase the amount of cardio and reduce the walking. Of course this means less time to blog.
3. Trying to reconnect with manBoy and Gifted & Talented. For months we were in survival mode and just did our own thing. Now we are making plans and doing stuff together. Any ideas for a romantic getaway Memorial Day weekend?
4. Papers. I'm still writing papers. Residency (being commissioned but not ordained) still requires papers, and covenant group meetings, and mentor meetings, and lay minstry committee meetings.
5. Refinancing home. Phone calls, paper work... It's so confusing!
6. Gathering info for filing taxes (or having Dad the H&R Block guy do them).
7. Although I took the whole game folder off my computer, I still waste time playing Text Twist on Yahoo.
8. manBoy is learning to drive. Arranging for Drivers' Ed... That is actually blog fodder, but who has time?
9. Surely I can think of one more ... then I'll have 10. I'll let you fill in the blank __________________________________________________________. Make sure it's something fun. Let me know in the comments.
10. Getting ready for the RevGalBlogPal Big Event!
1. Okay, now I have a real job and I'm a lot busier.
2. I'm going to the Y to work out 3 x per week. My goal is moving for a total of 9 miles per week with a combo of walking and cardio machines. I'm adding 1/2 mile each week. I'm up to 7 miles per week. When I get to 9 miles, I'll increase the amount of cardio and reduce the walking. Of course this means less time to blog.
3. Trying to reconnect with manBoy and Gifted & Talented. For months we were in survival mode and just did our own thing. Now we are making plans and doing stuff together. Any ideas for a romantic getaway Memorial Day weekend?
4. Papers. I'm still writing papers. Residency (being commissioned but not ordained) still requires papers, and covenant group meetings, and mentor meetings, and lay minstry committee meetings.
5. Refinancing home. Phone calls, paper work... It's so confusing!
6. Gathering info for filing taxes (or having Dad the H&R Block guy do them).
7. Although I took the whole game folder off my computer, I still waste time playing Text Twist on Yahoo.
8. manBoy is learning to drive. Arranging for Drivers' Ed... That is actually blog fodder, but who has time?
9. Surely I can think of one more ... then I'll have 10. I'll let you fill in the blank __________________________________________________________. Make sure it's something fun. Let me know in the comments.
10. Getting ready for the RevGalBlogPal Big Event!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Breaking the Silence - News! News! News!
I haven't blogged in the last couple of weeks because there has been so much I couldn't say.
On Feb. 8th I learned that the promised March 1 apppointment wasn't going to happen - not at all. That was all I was told. I had no idea what if anything was coming next.
Then a week later, I was presented with an opportunity for a different kind of appointment. I spent a weekend in prayer and very privately consulting a couple of close confidants. The consensus was the new opportunity is a good thing.
Then for the last week, I've been waiting to hear if it would indeed become a reality, and then when it could be public knowledge.
Today everything fell into place, and I'm happy to tell you that I have been appointed to ………… The Conference Office. Yes, you read correctly. I’m staying right where I’ve been assigned temporarily for the last 5 months. It seems that the new director was pleased with what I accomplished and believes I can be an asset to his vision for the Connectional Ministries Office. He requested that I be appointed here, and the cabinet has agreed. This appointment will run at least through June of 2009. It is my hope that it will continue for three years, but in the UMC you only know for a year at a time.
This is good because:
-I am enjoying what I’m doing here. I can see where my gifts and skills will make a difference and be helpful.
-Our family will not be moving in the near future. manBoy will continue his education in suburbia.
- We will maintain our association with and participation at Beloved Home Church. manBoy will stick with the youth leaders he's come to know and love. Gifted & Talented will continue to play in the worship band.
-I will be more available to my family during these last few years with manBoy at home than I would be if I was pastor in a local church.
FAQ’s:
- But MLR, didn’t you want to pastor a church?
o Yes, I do. But my heart tells me this is not the time. I truly believe this opportunity was given to me for a reason. When I realize I have just over 3 years left with manBoy at home, I know I don’t want to miss them sitting in meetings every evening. Local church pastoring will come in its time.
- Does this mean there wasn’t a church for you?
o Actually, no. The District Superintendent was on his way to talk to me about a church appointment when this came up.
- What about preaching?
o I will still preach some at beloved home church, and for other pastors who need to be gone for one reason or another. I have preached and conducted worship 7 times since September, which is more opportunities than many associate pastors have.
- Will this affect your probationary period for ordination?
o No. This was one concern that the DS checked out very carefully. We didn’t want to do anything to endanger my ordination. I will probably be asked to do some things (like teach and/or preach) in Beloved local church, but this appointment still counts toward my probationary period.
On Feb. 8th I learned that the promised March 1 apppointment wasn't going to happen - not at all. That was all I was told. I had no idea what if anything was coming next.
Then a week later, I was presented with an opportunity for a different kind of appointment. I spent a weekend in prayer and very privately consulting a couple of close confidants. The consensus was the new opportunity is a good thing.
Then for the last week, I've been waiting to hear if it would indeed become a reality, and then when it could be public knowledge.
Today everything fell into place, and I'm happy to tell you that I have been appointed to ………… The Conference Office. Yes, you read correctly. I’m staying right where I’ve been assigned temporarily for the last 5 months. It seems that the new director was pleased with what I accomplished and believes I can be an asset to his vision for the Connectional Ministries Office. He requested that I be appointed here, and the cabinet has agreed. This appointment will run at least through June of 2009. It is my hope that it will continue for three years, but in the UMC you only know for a year at a time.
This is good because:
-I am enjoying what I’m doing here. I can see where my gifts and skills will make a difference and be helpful.
-Our family will not be moving in the near future. manBoy will continue his education in suburbia.
- We will maintain our association with and participation at Beloved Home Church. manBoy will stick with the youth leaders he's come to know and love. Gifted & Talented will continue to play in the worship band.
-I will be more available to my family during these last few years with manBoy at home than I would be if I was pastor in a local church.
FAQ’s:
- But MLR, didn’t you want to pastor a church?
o Yes, I do. But my heart tells me this is not the time. I truly believe this opportunity was given to me for a reason. When I realize I have just over 3 years left with manBoy at home, I know I don’t want to miss them sitting in meetings every evening. Local church pastoring will come in its time.
- Does this mean there wasn’t a church for you?
o Actually, no. The District Superintendent was on his way to talk to me about a church appointment when this came up.
- What about preaching?
o I will still preach some at beloved home church, and for other pastors who need to be gone for one reason or another. I have preached and conducted worship 7 times since September, which is more opportunities than many associate pastors have.
- Will this affect your probationary period for ordination?
o No. This was one concern that the DS checked out very carefully. We didn’t want to do anything to endanger my ordination. I will probably be asked to do some things (like teach and/or preach) in Beloved local church, but this appointment still counts toward my probationary period.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Friday Five: What Are You Doing For Lent?
This is a perfect Friday Five from RevGalBlogPals since I was planning to blog about my Lenten discipline anyway.
1. Did you celebrate Mardi Gras and/or Ash Wednesday this week? How?
Yes, I led my first Ash Wednesday service at a friend's church. I loved it. Once again affirming my call to worship leadership. I preached about being a wretch - starting with a story of manBoy asking me one night as I was singing Amazing Grace, "Mommy, what's a wretch?" I used a good deal of John Newton's life story. He wrote Amazing Grace. It turns out John did have an amazing conversion experience, but continued to captain slave ships afterward. It was only later that his eyes were opened to the evils of slavery. His remorse over his participation in slave trade strongly influenced William Wilberforce who fought long and hard in the English parliament to abolish slavery. (See the movie Amazing Grace.) "I was blind, but now I see" is as much about seeing our own wretchedness as seeing God's redeeming love.
2. What was your most memorable Mardi Gras/Ash Wednesday/Lent?
Last year, I went to Ash Wednesday service at my home church. I had no leadership role, and neither did G&T. We actually sat together as a family. We were in a bad place. G&T had been out of work for 2 and a half months. As I sat and listened to my friend play "The Lord's Prayer" on her violin, I was overcome with the words "Thy will be done." It was a huge letting go. Tears rolled. Peace came. As a post-script, G&T had an interview the next day and a job by the end of the week. But, the peace came first.
3. Did you/your church/your family celebrate Lent as a child? If not, when and how did you discover it?
As an adult. It has become more common to take up Lenten Disciplines in the United Methodist Church in the lat 15-20 years. I began by giving up things I turn to when I'm stressed instead of turning to God (Coke and M&M's the first year).
4. Are you more in the give-up camp, or the take-on camp, or somewhere in between?
It depends on where I am that year, so I guess you can say somewhere in between.
5. How do you plan to keep Lent this year?
I've been struggling with this. I am hoping that my life will take a significant change in the middle of Lent, so I'm looking for something that isn't dependent on my current schedule and habits. Here's the plan. I need more heart time with God. We talk about the passion of Christ, and I need to remember to be passionate about Christ. I live in my head most of the time, and have worked on integrating heart and head for over a year now. I can see that in the last few weeks, I have slipped into head living again. So my Lenten discipline will be to make heart time, and to attend to my heart throughout the day. I don't know what that heart time will look like, because to have heart time, I have to just be with God. I may read Scripture. I may just listen to my meditative music. Mostly, I want to just be in the presence of God.
1. Did you celebrate Mardi Gras and/or Ash Wednesday this week? How?
Yes, I led my first Ash Wednesday service at a friend's church. I loved it. Once again affirming my call to worship leadership. I preached about being a wretch - starting with a story of manBoy asking me one night as I was singing Amazing Grace, "Mommy, what's a wretch?" I used a good deal of John Newton's life story. He wrote Amazing Grace. It turns out John did have an amazing conversion experience, but continued to captain slave ships afterward. It was only later that his eyes were opened to the evils of slavery. His remorse over his participation in slave trade strongly influenced William Wilberforce who fought long and hard in the English parliament to abolish slavery. (See the movie Amazing Grace.) "I was blind, but now I see" is as much about seeing our own wretchedness as seeing God's redeeming love.
2. What was your most memorable Mardi Gras/Ash Wednesday/Lent?
Last year, I went to Ash Wednesday service at my home church. I had no leadership role, and neither did G&T. We actually sat together as a family. We were in a bad place. G&T had been out of work for 2 and a half months. As I sat and listened to my friend play "The Lord's Prayer" on her violin, I was overcome with the words "Thy will be done." It was a huge letting go. Tears rolled. Peace came. As a post-script, G&T had an interview the next day and a job by the end of the week. But, the peace came first.
3. Did you/your church/your family celebrate Lent as a child? If not, when and how did you discover it?
As an adult. It has become more common to take up Lenten Disciplines in the United Methodist Church in the lat 15-20 years. I began by giving up things I turn to when I'm stressed instead of turning to God (Coke and M&M's the first year).
4. Are you more in the give-up camp, or the take-on camp, or somewhere in between?
It depends on where I am that year, so I guess you can say somewhere in between.
5. How do you plan to keep Lent this year?
I've been struggling with this. I am hoping that my life will take a significant change in the middle of Lent, so I'm looking for something that isn't dependent on my current schedule and habits. Here's the plan. I need more heart time with God. We talk about the passion of Christ, and I need to remember to be passionate about Christ. I live in my head most of the time, and have worked on integrating heart and head for over a year now. I can see that in the last few weeks, I have slipped into head living again. So my Lenten discipline will be to make heart time, and to attend to my heart throughout the day. I don't know what that heart time will look like, because to have heart time, I have to just be with God. I may read Scripture. I may just listen to my meditative music. Mostly, I want to just be in the presence of God.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Ash Wednesday, Lent, and Lint
Tonight I will conduct my first Ash Wednesday Service. I have taken a poll of clergy persons around the conference office and my mentors. Ashes - dry, with water, with oil, with vaseline. I've had many answers. Several say oil. The Bishop says "dry," but two others say "never dry." The pastor at my home church puts a little vaseline around the edge of the phyxis and dabs a little on his thumb as needed. I have assisted him using this method. It's not great, but I may go with what I know. I did stop and by a package of men's hankerchiefs to have something to wipe on as I need it. I have all of 4 hours to figure this out, so if you have a sure fire method, now is the time to comment!
Lent - I've spent so much of my thought energy preparing for this service, I haven't really thought about what my own Lenten discipline will be. What are you doing?
Lint - I'm beginning to feel a little like pocket lint. You know the stuff you pull out of your pockets and throw away? There has been some kind of hold up in the appointment changes, so I still don't know where I'm going or even if I'm still going somewhere on March 1.
Lent - I've spent so much of my thought energy preparing for this service, I haven't really thought about what my own Lenten discipline will be. What are you doing?
Lint - I'm beginning to feel a little like pocket lint. You know the stuff you pull out of your pockets and throw away? There has been some kind of hold up in the appointment changes, so I still don't know where I'm going or even if I'm still going somewhere on March 1.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
My Many Names
Copied this from ElastiGirl who got it from Terrapin Station. Have some fun!
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, current car): Chucker Corolla
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe): Chocolate Mint Sketcher
3. YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal): Blue Bear
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, city where you were born): Ann Kerrville
5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two of your first name): RooMi
6. SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Peach Daiquiri (sounds more like a stripper name, see below)
7. NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers): Sam J (not Jay, just J.)
8. STRIPPER NAME ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy): Mango Mandarin Mint Muskateer
9. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your fifth grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Stark Seattle
10. SPY NAME (your favorite season/holiday, flower): Christmas Rose
11. CARTOON NAME (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Peach PJ's
12. HIPPIE NAME (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Waffle Willow
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, current car): Chucker Corolla
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe): Chocolate Mint Sketcher
3. YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal): Blue Bear
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, city where you were born): Ann Kerrville
5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two of your first name): RooMi
6. SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Peach Daiquiri (sounds more like a stripper name, see below)
7. NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers): Sam J (not Jay, just J.)
8. STRIPPER NAME ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy): Mango Mandarin Mint Muskateer
9. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your fifth grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Stark Seattle
10. SPY NAME (your favorite season/holiday, flower): Christmas Rose
11. CARTOON NAME (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Peach PJ's
12. HIPPIE NAME (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Waffle Willow
Jury Duty
If you had asked me at 3:00 pm yesterday, I would have bet money that I would be sitting in the jury box in big city courts building this morning. I was juror number 14, and numbers 7,8, and 11 all had reasons they would not be able to participate as jurors. The questioning by the lawyers seemed to go on and on. Could we impartially hear the evidence and render a verdict? That's what all the questions really meant.
In the end, we were dismissed and a mistrial was declared. Why? Because of the 65 people on the panel, there were fewer than 32 of us who could say we would be able to be impartial and judge the evidence. They needed 32 in order for each side to have their 10 strikes and still leave a jury of 12 persons.
A mistrial was declared because less than half of the people in the room were willing to set aside personal prejudices and do their duty. I went in wanting to avoid serving. As the day progressed, I felt like it would be important for me to do my part so that a fair trial could be given. I'll never know what becomes of the young man who was charged. I prayed for him as he sat facing me yesterday.
It was an interesting day theologically. You hear a lot of theology at the court house. Some of the things I heard were "An eye for an eye," "If you sin, you must pay the punishment," and "If you disobey God, bad things are gonna happen."
Loving God, who can bring good from evil. Work in the hearts and minds of all of us involved yesterday. Show us your way and your will in our lives. Bring love to those who only know hatred. Bring care for those in need to those who only know comfort. Amen.
In the end, we were dismissed and a mistrial was declared. Why? Because of the 65 people on the panel, there were fewer than 32 of us who could say we would be able to be impartial and judge the evidence. They needed 32 in order for each side to have their 10 strikes and still leave a jury of 12 persons.
A mistrial was declared because less than half of the people in the room were willing to set aside personal prejudices and do their duty. I went in wanting to avoid serving. As the day progressed, I felt like it would be important for me to do my part so that a fair trial could be given. I'll never know what becomes of the young man who was charged. I prayed for him as he sat facing me yesterday.
It was an interesting day theologically. You hear a lot of theology at the court house. Some of the things I heard were "An eye for an eye," "If you sin, you must pay the punishment," and "If you disobey God, bad things are gonna happen."
Loving God, who can bring good from evil. Work in the hearts and minds of all of us involved yesterday. Show us your way and your will in our lives. Bring love to those who only know hatred. Bring care for those in need to those who only know comfort. Amen.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Still Sick
Friday evening, things went downhill - way down. Fever went up, congestion dropped into chest and turned green. Called doctor on Saturday am. Got same antibiotic G&T and manBoy had been on for three days.
I didn't make the Disability Concerns Committee meeting for neighboring conferecence on Saturday. I didn't drive to town of small church for preaching. Someone down there covered, thank goodness. I didn't get to take my mom shopping for her cool birthday present.
Today I am better, but a long way from well. I still have lots of stuff in my chest. It takes a lot of energy to do anything. I'm working from home, doing as much as I can. I have forms to fill out for Board of Ordained Ministry. They are due Friday. Tomorrow I have to go to jury duty. I could postpone it, but I would be called again in the next two months. I'm hoping to be a little busy with a new appointment in the next two months.
I am definitely battling the demon of discouragement today. Not to mention holding my own little pity party. Well, it seems like I need to build a bridge and get over this.
I didn't make the Disability Concerns Committee meeting for neighboring conferecence on Saturday. I didn't drive to town of small church for preaching. Someone down there covered, thank goodness. I didn't get to take my mom shopping for her cool birthday present.
Today I am better, but a long way from well. I still have lots of stuff in my chest. It takes a lot of energy to do anything. I'm working from home, doing as much as I can. I have forms to fill out for Board of Ordained Ministry. They are due Friday. Tomorrow I have to go to jury duty. I could postpone it, but I would be called again in the next two months. I'm hoping to be a little busy with a new appointment in the next two months.
I am definitely battling the demon of discouragement today. Not to mention holding my own little pity party. Well, it seems like I need to build a bridge and get over this.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Sick
We've all been sick. Three people. Three different doctors. Two very different treatments. All improving. One more weekend to travel and preach. G&T's big band gig this Saturday. Hopefully things will slow down a bit after that. Will blog more next week.
Monday, January 21, 2008
What if?
the enemy is seated across from me at the table that God has also prepared for her in the presence of her enemy - me?
Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Lord, lead me to love in the way you would have me love. Remind me that Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, was not written just for me and those who are just like me. Amen
Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Lord, lead me to love in the way you would have me love. Remind me that Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, was not written just for me and those who are just like me. Amen
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Official Sermon Writing Attire
This may not be worthy of a blog visited by a bishop, but oh well...I'm taking a cue from my friend revdulce and posting this important information regarding sermon writing.
These are the best slipper socks for writing sermons. They are soft and comfy. The stripes remind me to get a little out of the box.
I've fallen into a pattern this month. Exegesis and research on Monday. Outline by mid-week. Final typing on Saturday after driving to town where little church is. These socks are great for climbing into the middle of the guest bed with my laptop and getting busy.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Friday Five: Read Any Good Books Lately?
From RevGalBlogPals:
The website promoting this piece of art says, "For the first time, the worlds most influential religious texts are brought together and presented on the same level, their coexistence acknowledged and celebrated”. The shelf is made of reclaimed wood that contains seven religious books. The designers have put them – literally – on the same level.
Well, pish posh! I think that some books ARE better than others! How about you?
1. What book have you read in the last six months that has really stayed with you? Why?
Making Spiritual Sense: Christian Leaders As Spiritual Interpreters by Scott Cormode because it made sense.
The Power to Bless by Myron C. Madden because it brought healing.
Woman Prayers: Prayers by Women from throughtout History and Around the World by Mary Ford-Grabowsky becsuse it holds beauty and strength.
I'm about to start Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Bishop Robert Schnase. I'll let you know what I think.
2. What is one of your favorite childhood books?
Just one? I can't pick just one! I read Heidi, and the entire Little Women series over and over again. When I was younger, there was an easy read book called Let Papa Sleep. Pip and Chip are supposed to be quiet and let Papa sleep. Of course everything they do makes a big mess and lots of noise, but Papa doesn't wake up. In the end, a fly lands on Papa's nose and wakes him up. I still think it's funny and I still have the book. And of course there was always A Child's Garden of Verses.
3. Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? Do tell!
Psalms - the emotion is so there and so raw. I still love a good poem.
4. What is one book you could read again and again?
I'm currently re-reading the entire Mitford Series by Jan Karon. I'm up to In this Mountain.
5. Is there a book you would suggest for Lenten reading? What is it and why?
I don't have anything to offer. I'm going to have to read everyone else's answers and find something.
And because we all love bonus questions, if you were going to publish a book what would it be? Who would you want to write the jacket cover blurb expounding on your talent?
I might write a book of devotions or of some of my sacred imaginings. I have written short stories from the perspective of bystanders in the Bible (ex. a girl in King Herod's court when the Magi came). I would want Dogblogger to write the blurb. She is a great writer and she likes me!
The website promoting this piece of art says, "For the first time, the worlds most influential religious texts are brought together and presented on the same level, their coexistence acknowledged and celebrated”. The shelf is made of reclaimed wood that contains seven religious books. The designers have put them – literally – on the same level.
Well, pish posh! I think that some books ARE better than others! How about you?
1. What book have you read in the last six months that has really stayed with you? Why?
Making Spiritual Sense: Christian Leaders As Spiritual Interpreters by Scott Cormode because it made sense.
The Power to Bless by Myron C. Madden because it brought healing.
Woman Prayers: Prayers by Women from throughtout History and Around the World by Mary Ford-Grabowsky becsuse it holds beauty and strength.
I'm about to start Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Bishop Robert Schnase. I'll let you know what I think.
2. What is one of your favorite childhood books?
Just one? I can't pick just one! I read Heidi, and the entire Little Women series over and over again. When I was younger, there was an easy read book called Let Papa Sleep. Pip and Chip are supposed to be quiet and let Papa sleep. Of course everything they do makes a big mess and lots of noise, but Papa doesn't wake up. In the end, a fly lands on Papa's nose and wakes him up. I still think it's funny and I still have the book. And of course there was always A Child's Garden of Verses.
3. Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? Do tell!
Psalms - the emotion is so there and so raw. I still love a good poem.
4. What is one book you could read again and again?
I'm currently re-reading the entire Mitford Series by Jan Karon. I'm up to In this Mountain.
5. Is there a book you would suggest for Lenten reading? What is it and why?
I don't have anything to offer. I'm going to have to read everyone else's answers and find something.
And because we all love bonus questions, if you were going to publish a book what would it be? Who would you want to write the jacket cover blurb expounding on your talent?
I might write a book of devotions or of some of my sacred imaginings. I have written short stories from the perspective of bystanders in the Bible (ex. a girl in King Herod's court when the Magi came). I would want Dogblogger to write the blurb. She is a great writer and she likes me!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Woohoo, Wow, and Whew!
Just finished the first meeting of the Conference Disability Concerns Committee. 25 people genuinely interested in making God's church welcoming and participatory for all of God's people. I took care of physical arrangements of the room, lunch, emails to get everyone here... My co-chair and I planned the agenda and shared in leading the meeting. We had group introduction time, small group brainstorming, large group sharing ideas. We still have a long ways to go to find our defined purpose and planning, but there was lots of enthusiasm in that room today.
I am exhausted. I've been building up to this for 3 months from the time I sent the first email asking who might be interested in serving on the committee. So now that the first meeting has come and gone, the adrenaline has dropped out of sight. It's a good tired, but man I'm tired.
My new boss offered the prayer at the end of the meeting. He thanked God for working through the circumstances that landed me in the Conference office for this interim to bring together this group of people for this good work. Amen to that.
I am exhausted. I've been building up to this for 3 months from the time I sent the first email asking who might be interested in serving on the committee. So now that the first meeting has come and gone, the adrenaline has dropped out of sight. It's a good tired, but man I'm tired.
My new boss offered the prayer at the end of the meeting. He thanked God for working through the circumstances that landed me in the Conference office for this interim to bring together this group of people for this good work. Amen to that.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Better Sunday
Well things went a little better with the drive 200 miles, sleep, preach, drive 200 miles gig this weekend. I went to Sunday School at Little Church this morning. The discussion was sooo interesting in that my sermon was going to address so many of the comments that were made. These people needed to hear that God loves them and they can't earn their salvation!
I preached on Romans 8:31-39 and called it "Ain't No Mountain." Over and over again, we can't keep God from loving us. We can just keep ourselves from experiencing that love. Then I transitioned to Remembrance of Baptism - beloved children of God.... We had a time when everyone was invited to come forward to the water to remember their Baptism in their own way. It went over really well which is mildly surprising since it was a totally new concept for them.
I'm not nearly as exhausted as last week. manBoy and G&T will be home from Youth and Band practice soon, so I will leave you and cook dinner for them.
Lord God, Thank you for safe travels, for the opportunity to share your glorious love with others, and for the reminders of just how much you gift us daily. Amen.
I preached on Romans 8:31-39 and called it "Ain't No Mountain." Over and over again, we can't keep God from loving us. We can just keep ourselves from experiencing that love. Then I transitioned to Remembrance of Baptism - beloved children of God.... We had a time when everyone was invited to come forward to the water to remember their Baptism in their own way. It went over really well which is mildly surprising since it was a totally new concept for them.
I'm not nearly as exhausted as last week. manBoy and G&T will be home from Youth and Band practice soon, so I will leave you and cook dinner for them.
Lord God, Thank you for safe travels, for the opportunity to share your glorious love with others, and for the reminders of just how much you gift us daily. Amen.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Small Graces
I was listening today to a song called Small Graces by Bob Bennett. It occurs to me that I've had a few of my own small glimpses of God's grace lately.
Pastor K hosted a wig and hat party in celebration of hair loss through chemo. We watched a video of her getting her hair cut really, really short the day it began to fall out. She stood up to it well, but had a grief episode that evening (normal and healthy). Please keep her in your prayers.
I follow the Caring Bridge reports for Little D. His story and his family's faith and strength are inspiration and blessing to me.
My sermon is typed and printed before 10 pm.
Did I mention G&T took the amp back?
Oh God, please help me see your small graces all around me. Pour your Spirit in, over and through me as I speak tomorrow. Let my words be your messengers. Amen.
Pastor K hosted a wig and hat party in celebration of hair loss through chemo. We watched a video of her getting her hair cut really, really short the day it began to fall out. She stood up to it well, but had a grief episode that evening (normal and healthy). Please keep her in your prayers.
I follow the Caring Bridge reports for Little D. His story and his family's faith and strength are inspiration and blessing to me.
My sermon is typed and printed before 10 pm.
Did I mention G&T took the amp back?
Oh God, please help me see your small graces all around me. Pour your Spirit in, over and through me as I speak tomorrow. Let my words be your messengers. Amen.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Friday Five
Mother Laura at RevGalBlogPals writes:
Éstas son las mañanitas These are the morning verses
Que cantaba el Rey David, That King David used to sing,
A las muchachas bonitas To the beautiful young ladies,
Se las cantaba asÃ. He would sing them like this.
(The Mexican birthday song, sometimes sung as a dawn serenade).Youtube Mariachi version here. Piano music and eleventy-zillion more verses here.
My forty-third birthday next Wednesday will inaugurate the "Birthday Madness" season in the Grimes-Honkanen household. The next day Katie will turn five and just over two weeks later, on Feb. 3, Nicholas will be eleven. In the middle, on January 30, we celebrate the gift of Grandma Di; Nicholas and I were both due on my Mom's birthday but I was uncharacteristically early and he was little late. We will be doing a trip to Disneyland to celebrate them all in a couple weeks; in the meantime I offer this birthday-inspired Friday Five.
1. When is your birthday? Does anyone else (famous and/or in your own life) share it?
In August, 15 days later than it was supposed to be. I'm a Virgo who was expected to be a Leo.
2. Do you prefer a big party or an intimate celebration for the chosen few?
Both! Why have just one party? Celebrate small with family and big with friends.
3. Describe your most memorable birthday(s)--good, bad, or both.
Uggh - turning 40 wouldn't have been too bad except G&T sent me black roses. I don't mean roses grown to be black. I mean what would have been a beautiful bouquet before it was spray painted black, stems, leaves, petals and all! It was the most depressing thing I've ever seen. To top it off, his mother sent me Luby's Gift Certificate. Just how old did she think I was anyway?
On a better note, last August I finished CPE on my birthday. We had a lovely graduation service in the chapel and a great lunch. I thanked them for planning all that just for my birthday.
4. What is your favorite cake and ice cream? (Bonus points if you share the cake recipe). Or would you rather have a different treat altogether?
Forget Cake (too dry), forget Ice Cream - Bring on the Key Lime Pie!
5. Surprise parties: love 'em or hate 'em?
Neutral.
Bonus: Describe your ideal birthday--the sky's the limit.
Beach. Hammock. Good Book. Massage in hut on beach. Great Dinner with hubby served on patio of hotel room facing beach. Good wine. I'll leave the rest to your imagination.
Éstas son las mañanitas These are the morning verses
Que cantaba el Rey David, That King David used to sing,
A las muchachas bonitas To the beautiful young ladies,
Se las cantaba asÃ. He would sing them like this.
(The Mexican birthday song, sometimes sung as a dawn serenade).Youtube Mariachi version here. Piano music and eleventy-zillion more verses here.
My forty-third birthday next Wednesday will inaugurate the "Birthday Madness" season in the Grimes-Honkanen household. The next day Katie will turn five and just over two weeks later, on Feb. 3, Nicholas will be eleven. In the middle, on January 30, we celebrate the gift of Grandma Di; Nicholas and I were both due on my Mom's birthday but I was uncharacteristically early and he was little late. We will be doing a trip to Disneyland to celebrate them all in a couple weeks; in the meantime I offer this birthday-inspired Friday Five.
1. When is your birthday? Does anyone else (famous and/or in your own life) share it?
In August, 15 days later than it was supposed to be. I'm a Virgo who was expected to be a Leo.
2. Do you prefer a big party or an intimate celebration for the chosen few?
Both! Why have just one party? Celebrate small with family and big with friends.
3. Describe your most memorable birthday(s)--good, bad, or both.
Uggh - turning 40 wouldn't have been too bad except G&T sent me black roses. I don't mean roses grown to be black. I mean what would have been a beautiful bouquet before it was spray painted black, stems, leaves, petals and all! It was the most depressing thing I've ever seen. To top it off, his mother sent me Luby's Gift Certificate. Just how old did she think I was anyway?
On a better note, last August I finished CPE on my birthday. We had a lovely graduation service in the chapel and a great lunch. I thanked them for planning all that just for my birthday.
4. What is your favorite cake and ice cream? (Bonus points if you share the cake recipe). Or would you rather have a different treat altogether?
Forget Cake (too dry), forget Ice Cream - Bring on the Key Lime Pie!
5. Surprise parties: love 'em or hate 'em?
Neutral.
Bonus: Describe your ideal birthday--the sky's the limit.
Beach. Hammock. Good Book. Massage in hut on beach. Great Dinner with hubby served on patio of hotel room facing beach. Good wine. I'll leave the rest to your imagination.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Noise ( or just plain complaining)
Our house is a good sized house, and one of the things I like about it is that the den is far enough from the rest of the house that I can have quiet time with stuff going on elsewhere. Until now that is.
First we added surround sound to the living room (next to the den).
Now, my generosity is coming back to haunt me. Last week as we were redoing manBoy's room, we decided he could have some speakers we were no longer using with a computer. He can use them with his iPod. What were we thinking?!?!?! Now instead of music only he hears in his ears, it's music we all hear.
Last night G&T was talking about needing a new amp for the party gig the worship band has coming up at the end of this month. I told him to go get what he needed. He did. Tonight music is blasting through the house. There is no quiet place in this house anywhere! I can't just go to bed because G&T's music room shares a wall with our bedroom. I can't steal G&T's sound dampening headphones because he's wearing them - go figure. Maybe if he didn't have the sound dampening headphones on he wouldn't need the amp up so loud. You think?
To top it off, I have to write sermons every week this month. I committed to preach for my mother's church since their pastor started chemo a week ago. When I made that commitment, I had been told I would be unemployed this month. Now I'm working full time and trying to find time to study and think and write.
This is a struggle. G&T is trying to practice for something that is a big fund raiser for the church. I'm trying to prepare for sermons I offered as a gift to a church.
Lord, help us find a way we can both serve you and your people. Amen.
First we added surround sound to the living room (next to the den).
Now, my generosity is coming back to haunt me. Last week as we were redoing manBoy's room, we decided he could have some speakers we were no longer using with a computer. He can use them with his iPod. What were we thinking?!?!?! Now instead of music only he hears in his ears, it's music we all hear.
Last night G&T was talking about needing a new amp for the party gig the worship band has coming up at the end of this month. I told him to go get what he needed. He did. Tonight music is blasting through the house. There is no quiet place in this house anywhere! I can't just go to bed because G&T's music room shares a wall with our bedroom. I can't steal G&T's sound dampening headphones because he's wearing them - go figure. Maybe if he didn't have the sound dampening headphones on he wouldn't need the amp up so loud. You think?
To top it off, I have to write sermons every week this month. I committed to preach for my mother's church since their pastor started chemo a week ago. When I made that commitment, I had been told I would be unemployed this month. Now I'm working full time and trying to find time to study and think and write.
This is a struggle. G&T is trying to practice for something that is a big fund raiser for the church. I'm trying to prepare for sermons I offered as a gift to a church.
Lord, help us find a way we can both serve you and your people. Amen.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Busy Weekend
Saturday:
3-5 am - Sermon handwritten at last - it just wouldn't come for the longest time.
5-7 am - a little more sleep
8 am - Emmaus Reunion Group
10-12 am - packing clothes, books, computer, sermon notes, stuff for tax estimation
12-3:30 - drive 200 miles to town of preaching gig
3:30-5:30 - type sermon
6:30 - 9:30 - dinner with mom and sisters - a very rare occasion
9:30 - 10pm visit with m-i-l who graciously provided me with bed and breakfast.
10pm - Fall into bed
Sunday
3:30 am - wide awake - no more sleep for tonight
8 am - breakfast with m-i-l
9am - field phone call from father - please go by local tax preparer's office and pick up forms he needs for his tax preparer's office in nearby town.
9:15am - pick up forms
9:30am - arrive at church, visit with friends I have roped into doing music for this service and several others, prepare for service.
10:45 service begins. Music great. Sermon preached.
12:00 pm - Back to local tax preparer's office for more forms
12:15- off to nearby town for tax consult with dad.
1:30 - lunch with dad and stepmom.
2:30-3:30 - tax estimation done for 4th quarter - small ouch but could have been worse
3:30 - on the road back to suburbia.
6:15 - arrive home
total miles in 30 hours - 472
I'm going to bed. Does this count as one of my blogs for the week?
3-5 am - Sermon handwritten at last - it just wouldn't come for the longest time.
5-7 am - a little more sleep
8 am - Emmaus Reunion Group
10-12 am - packing clothes, books, computer, sermon notes, stuff for tax estimation
12-3:30 - drive 200 miles to town of preaching gig
3:30-5:30 - type sermon
6:30 - 9:30 - dinner with mom and sisters - a very rare occasion
9:30 - 10pm visit with m-i-l who graciously provided me with bed and breakfast.
10pm - Fall into bed
Sunday
3:30 am - wide awake - no more sleep for tonight
8 am - breakfast with m-i-l
9am - field phone call from father - please go by local tax preparer's office and pick up forms he needs for his tax preparer's office in nearby town.
9:15am - pick up forms
9:30am - arrive at church, visit with friends I have roped into doing music for this service and several others, prepare for service.
10:45 service begins. Music great. Sermon preached.
12:00 pm - Back to local tax preparer's office for more forms
12:15- off to nearby town for tax consult with dad.
1:30 - lunch with dad and stepmom.
2:30-3:30 - tax estimation done for 4th quarter - small ouch but could have been worse
3:30 - on the road back to suburbia.
6:15 - arrive home
total miles in 30 hours - 472
I'm going to bed. Does this count as one of my blogs for the week?
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Not Who I Used To Be
I am not
who I was
three months ago.
Three months ago,
I was not
who I was
a year before
when I started CPE.
I have changed.
Yet I am still the very same me I always was.
Last week I was going through a file drawer. I found the results from the psychological examination I had to take to start the process for ordination. The exam was 5 years ago. As I reread the results, I was surprised to see how accurate they were. I was also pleased at how I've grown in 5 years. I still have all the same personality traits, and I still have to be careful about control. The difference is not in my personality, but in how I recognize my personality traits and work to use them for the best or hold them in check when needed. Even how I cope with reading this glaringly accurate report has changed. When I read it five years ago, I felt condemned. Now I just see it as a report of the me God made and is still creating and recreating(next blog).
And for proof that I am still the same me: the fact that I was going through a file drawer. I love organizing. Most people like to be organized. I like getting organized. When I was a child, I would empty everything out of my closet into the floor of my bedroom and put it all back in a new more organized way. I have a life-long friend who once called me to please come organize her boys' room. Some things never change.
So over the Christmas break we:
who I was
three months ago.
Three months ago,
I was not
who I was
a year before
when I started CPE.
I have changed.
Yet I am still the very same me I always was.
Last week I was going through a file drawer. I found the results from the psychological examination I had to take to start the process for ordination. The exam was 5 years ago. As I reread the results, I was surprised to see how accurate they were. I was also pleased at how I've grown in 5 years. I still have all the same personality traits, and I still have to be careful about control. The difference is not in my personality, but in how I recognize my personality traits and work to use them for the best or hold them in check when needed. Even how I cope with reading this glaringly accurate report has changed. When I read it five years ago, I felt condemned. Now I just see it as a report of the me God made and is still creating and recreating(next blog).
And for proof that I am still the same me: the fact that I was going through a file drawer. I love organizing. Most people like to be organized. I like getting organized. When I was a child, I would empty everything out of my closet into the floor of my bedroom and put it all back in a new more organized way. I have a life-long friend who once called me to please come organize her boys' room. Some things never change.
So over the Christmas break we:
- Added shelves to the Elfa Unit and alphabetized our CD's (lots and lots of them).
- Cleaned up all the loose papers (lots and lots of them) in my home office, and cleaned out one file drawer.
- Cleaned out and rearranged manBoy's room to accommodate his Christmas loot. Short of having the latest game system, he now has a teenager's electronic paradise. He needs 2 power strips to plug in all his stuff.
- G&T made significant progress in his office/music room. You can even see most of the floor.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Going Home
Okay, believe it or not, my New Year's resolution is to blog more. I'm aiming for 2-3 times a week not counting Friday Fives. So, here is the first installment.
I am reading Jan Karon's Home to Holly Springs (a Christmas gift from manBoy). It is her latest book featuring Father Timothy Kavanagh, but it is not set in Mitford. In this book Father Kavanagh returns to his home town after 38 years away. He learns a great deal about his childhood and deals with some of his baggage and ghosts. This book is "heavier" than the Mitford books, but it is good.
I had my own homecoming last week. We spent a few days in my home town last week. I preached at my mom's little church on the 23rd. It was a small group, but the Spirit was there. I will be preaching there each Sunday in January while their pastor goes through chemotherapy.
None of my family lives in my childhood home. It was sold when my parents divorced during my college years. But never the less, we had family together and that made it home. I baked Christmas cookies and Cranberry Glazed Pork Roast from a Friday Five recipes.
We attended Christmas Eve services in the church I where grew up from age 3 to age 25. Gifted & Talented and I were married in that church. We left when G & T was transferred to the big city.
Being in that old familiar sanctuary was a John Wesley type of "heart warming" experience. I was surprised at the sense of good memories I had there. Not specific memories, more of a pleasant nostalgia. You see, my childhood memories are not on the whole happy. But in the last year or so, I have been finding more and more good to remember. It seems I am able to move past the painful parts and recognize the good that also happened.
God of Love, Thank you for the healing you have brought about in my life. Thank you for showing me the good memories mixed in with the difficulties. Let this new stage emotional health enable me to serve you more. Amen.
I am reading Jan Karon's Home to Holly Springs (a Christmas gift from manBoy). It is her latest book featuring Father Timothy Kavanagh, but it is not set in Mitford. In this book Father Kavanagh returns to his home town after 38 years away. He learns a great deal about his childhood and deals with some of his baggage and ghosts. This book is "heavier" than the Mitford books, but it is good.
I had my own homecoming last week. We spent a few days in my home town last week. I preached at my mom's little church on the 23rd. It was a small group, but the Spirit was there. I will be preaching there each Sunday in January while their pastor goes through chemotherapy.
None of my family lives in my childhood home. It was sold when my parents divorced during my college years. But never the less, we had family together and that made it home. I baked Christmas cookies and Cranberry Glazed Pork Roast from a Friday Five recipes.
We attended Christmas Eve services in the church I where grew up from age 3 to age 25. Gifted & Talented and I were married in that church. We left when G & T was transferred to the big city.
Being in that old familiar sanctuary was a John Wesley type of "heart warming" experience. I was surprised at the sense of good memories I had there. Not specific memories, more of a pleasant nostalgia. You see, my childhood memories are not on the whole happy. But in the last year or so, I have been finding more and more good to remember. It seems I am able to move past the painful parts and recognize the good that also happened.
God of Love, Thank you for the healing you have brought about in my life. Thank you for showing me the good memories mixed in with the difficulties. Let this new stage emotional health enable me to serve you more. Amen.
Friday, December 21, 2007
It's Almost Christmas! Friday Five
The Friday Five at RevGalBlogPals asks these questions:
What was one of your favorite childhood gifts that you gave?
Funny, I remember being excited about giving gifts to particular people, but for the life of me I can't remember what the gifts were!
What is one of your favorite Christmas recipes? Bonus points if you share the recipe with us.
I guess that would be Shrimp Creole although we have it at other times of the year as well.
I'm not at home with the recipe, so I'll have to pass on the bonus points for now.
Someone at the office brought Salmon Spread yesterday. It was goooooood. If I had the recipe that might be my new favorite.
What is a tradition that your family can't do without? (And by family, I mean family of origin, family of adulthood, or that bunch of cool people that just feel like family.)
Our Christmas activities have varied a great deal from year to year. We are rarely in the same place or with the same people as the year before. But, one thing that always happens between my mom and us sisters is the "Christmas Gift" game. Here's how to play the game: On Christmas morning (others do it on Christmas Eve) you always want to be the first one to say "Christmas gift." Since we are often in different cities, this involves early morning phone calls where the caller recites "Christmas gift, Christmas gift, Christmas gift" over and over while the phone rings. You always answer the phone with "Christmas gift," just to be sure to be first.
Pastors and other church folk often have very strange traditions dictated by the "work" of the holidays. What happens at your place?
I have yet to be fully responsible for Christmas Eve services at church, but one or the other of us often has a role in one or more service. We make sure that we have family time sometime on Christmas Eve. We put on our comfy clothes, get our egg nog or hot chocolate and spend some time around the tree. Last Christmas Eve, the 3 of us and my mom led worship in the Hospital Chapel and took communion to all the nurses stations and a few patients. It was a blessing to be able to serve those who could not be home.
If you could just ditch all the traditions and do something unexpected... what would it be?
We watched a PBS special on Christmas in Yellowstone last night. All three of us agreed that would be totally cool. Okay - really cold but lots of fun.
What was one of your favorite childhood gifts that you gave?
Funny, I remember being excited about giving gifts to particular people, but for the life of me I can't remember what the gifts were!
What is one of your favorite Christmas recipes? Bonus points if you share the recipe with us.
I guess that would be Shrimp Creole although we have it at other times of the year as well.
I'm not at home with the recipe, so I'll have to pass on the bonus points for now.
Someone at the office brought Salmon Spread yesterday. It was goooooood. If I had the recipe that might be my new favorite.
What is a tradition that your family can't do without? (And by family, I mean family of origin, family of adulthood, or that bunch of cool people that just feel like family.)
Our Christmas activities have varied a great deal from year to year. We are rarely in the same place or with the same people as the year before. But, one thing that always happens between my mom and us sisters is the "Christmas Gift" game. Here's how to play the game: On Christmas morning (others do it on Christmas Eve) you always want to be the first one to say "Christmas gift." Since we are often in different cities, this involves early morning phone calls where the caller recites "Christmas gift, Christmas gift, Christmas gift" over and over while the phone rings. You always answer the phone with "Christmas gift," just to be sure to be first.
Pastors and other church folk often have very strange traditions dictated by the "work" of the holidays. What happens at your place?
I have yet to be fully responsible for Christmas Eve services at church, but one or the other of us often has a role in one or more service. We make sure that we have family time sometime on Christmas Eve. We put on our comfy clothes, get our egg nog or hot chocolate and spend some time around the tree. Last Christmas Eve, the 3 of us and my mom led worship in the Hospital Chapel and took communion to all the nurses stations and a few patients. It was a blessing to be able to serve those who could not be home.
If you could just ditch all the traditions and do something unexpected... what would it be?
We watched a PBS special on Christmas in Yellowstone last night. All three of us agreed that would be totally cool. Okay - really cold but lots of fun.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Peace I Ask of Thee O River
Peace, I ask of thee, oh river
Peace, peace, peace
When I learn to live serenely
Cares will cease.
From the hills, I gather courage
visions of the days to be;
Strength to lead and faith to follow,
all are given unto thee.
This is an old Girl Scout song from my (much) younger years. I have always loved it.
I was writing about my Call to Ministry for my Lay Ministry Committee recently. I finished by talking about how my time at the conference office has shown me that I can be in ministry anywhere. As I typed the words, "I have more peace now than I’ve had in a long time," I had a Big AHA moment.
During CPE, one of my peers pointed out that my struggle with the disappointment of not having an appointment was similar to my struggle with the pain of infertility. That was another epiphany. It was amazing to me how much the emotions were the same - anger, sense of abandonment, grief... It also gave me hope.
Now the parallel continues. manBoy came to us just three days after I made the statement that I was finally at peace with God’s plan for us and a child. A friend had pulled me aside to tell me of her pregnancy privately so that I could deal with my pain before she announced to the group. I was able to tell her for the first time in five years I could hear of someone else's pregnancy and not hurt. I was at peace.
I find myself in the same place now. I don’t know what my future holds, but I am confident that wherever I go, God will use me.
PS The latest news is that I will continue at the conference office through February. I am still hopeful for a church appointment in March.
Peace, peace, peace
When I learn to live serenely
Cares will cease.
From the hills, I gather courage
visions of the days to be;
Strength to lead and faith to follow,
all are given unto thee.
This is an old Girl Scout song from my (much) younger years. I have always loved it.
I was writing about my Call to Ministry for my Lay Ministry Committee recently. I finished by talking about how my time at the conference office has shown me that I can be in ministry anywhere. As I typed the words, "I have more peace now than I’ve had in a long time," I had a Big AHA moment.
During CPE, one of my peers pointed out that my struggle with the disappointment of not having an appointment was similar to my struggle with the pain of infertility. That was another epiphany. It was amazing to me how much the emotions were the same - anger, sense of abandonment, grief... It also gave me hope.
Now the parallel continues. manBoy came to us just three days after I made the statement that I was finally at peace with God’s plan for us and a child. A friend had pulled me aside to tell me of her pregnancy privately so that I could deal with my pain before she announced to the group. I was able to tell her for the first time in five years I could hear of someone else's pregnancy and not hurt. I was at peace.
I find myself in the same place now. I don’t know what my future holds, but I am confident that wherever I go, God will use me.
PS The latest news is that I will continue at the conference office through February. I am still hopeful for a church appointment in March.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Friday Five: Not So Holiday Spirit Version
Parishioners pushing for carols before you digested your turkey?
Organist refusing to play Advent hymns because he/she already has them planned for Lessons & Carols?
Find yourself reading Luke and thinking of a variety of ways to tell Linus where to stick it? (Lights please.)
Then this quick and easy Friday Five is for you! And for those of you with a more positive attitude, have no fear. I am sure more sacred and reverent Friday Fives will follow.
Please tell us your least favorite/most annoying seasonal....
1) dessert/cookie/family food - Cranberry Sauce
2) beverage (seasonal beer, eggnog w/ way too much egg and not enough nog, etc...) - Red Wine
3) tradition (church, family, other) - traveling to three different houses in two towns to see three different sets of parents - we stopped that after a few years.
4) decoration - blow up nativity scenes in front yards and anything put up before Thanksgiving.
5) gift (received or given) - money - the kids want it but it seems like such a cop out.
BONUS: SONG/CD that makes you want to tell the elves where to stick it. Okay the first five were hard, but this one's easy "Christmas Shoes." How sappy can you get? I turn off the radio whenever it comes on.
Organist refusing to play Advent hymns because he/she already has them planned for Lessons & Carols?
Find yourself reading Luke and thinking of a variety of ways to tell Linus where to stick it? (Lights please.)
Then this quick and easy Friday Five is for you! And for those of you with a more positive attitude, have no fear. I am sure more sacred and reverent Friday Fives will follow.
Please tell us your least favorite/most annoying seasonal....
1) dessert/cookie/family food - Cranberry Sauce
2) beverage (seasonal beer, eggnog w/ way too much egg and not enough nog, etc...) - Red Wine
3) tradition (church, family, other) - traveling to three different houses in two towns to see three different sets of parents - we stopped that after a few years.
4) decoration - blow up nativity scenes in front yards and anything put up before Thanksgiving.
5) gift (received or given) - money - the kids want it but it seems like such a cop out.
BONUS: SONG/CD that makes you want to tell the elves where to stick it. Okay the first five were hard, but this one's easy "Christmas Shoes." How sappy can you get? I turn off the radio whenever it comes on.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Friday Five: Think About These Things Edition
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8, NRSV)
From RevGalBlogPals, Songbird writes:
Friends, it's nearly Thanksgiving in the U.S. and it's the time of year when we are pressed to name things for which we are thankful. I want to offer a twist on the usual lists and use Paul's letter to the church at Philippi as a model. Name five things that are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent or worthy of praise. These could be people, organizations, acts, ideas, works of art, pieces of music--whatever comes to mind for you.
1. Pure - This precious little boy who is the picture of innocence and going through rough times.
2. Pleasing - Our plan to spend the weekend recreating (re-creating) with good friends. Including Terri Hendrix concert and guitar gathering celebrating G&T's birthday. I won't say which one, but it ends in 0.
3. True - God's goodness even when we don't see it. My temporary assignment has turned out to be just what I needed to be doing - just what needed to be done. The great response shows me that I am doing what God calls me to do for now.
4. Commendable - My family for sticking with me over all the ups and downs for the last 5 years on this journey toward ministry.
5. Worthy of Praise - God the creator, Jesus the Savior, Spirit the Advocate
From RevGalBlogPals, Songbird writes:
Friends, it's nearly Thanksgiving in the U.S. and it's the time of year when we are pressed to name things for which we are thankful. I want to offer a twist on the usual lists and use Paul's letter to the church at Philippi as a model. Name five things that are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent or worthy of praise. These could be people, organizations, acts, ideas, works of art, pieces of music--whatever comes to mind for you.
1. Pure - This precious little boy who is the picture of innocence and going through rough times.
2. Pleasing - Our plan to spend the weekend recreating (re-creating) with good friends. Including Terri Hendrix concert and guitar gathering celebrating G&T's birthday. I won't say which one, but it ends in 0.
3. True - God's goodness even when we don't see it. My temporary assignment has turned out to be just what I needed to be doing - just what needed to be done. The great response shows me that I am doing what God calls me to do for now.
4. Commendable - My family for sticking with me over all the ups and downs for the last 5 years on this journey toward ministry.
5. Worthy of Praise - God the creator, Jesus the Savior, Spirit the Advocate
Friday, November 02, 2007
Friday Five: Interviews
Mother Laura at RevGalBlogPals writes:
Songbird just had an interview for a "vague and interesting" possibility, and More Cows than People is doing campus visits for doctoral programs. There always seem to be a few RevGals applying for new positions, and I just got my first call for this year's preliminary interviews for college teaching jobs at the American Academy of Religion meeting in San Diego coming up in a few weeks. It's for my dream job among this year's offerings, and I am flipflopping between excitement and nervousness. So please keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer for everyone facing such conversations, and share your thoughts on the wonderful world of interviews:
1. What was the most memorable interview you ever had?
That would have to be the interviews for commissioning in my denomination. Three separate interviews with groups of 10-15 people. It was daunting! Fortunately, I had good prayer support and a friend that went with me (this was encouraged). The Typist at The Best Dog Ever made a great power point that played back at my home church while people gathered to pray. It worked. I passed!
I recently interviewed for a Hospice Chaplain position. I had a migraine earlier in the day. When I went to get my prescription refilled, the pharmacy was out of the medicine! I was not. a. happy. camper. I had them call the prescription to a store across the street. Each minute that passed was one less minute I had to get to feeling better before the interview. It takes a while for the meds to kick in. I was better, but not great by the interview time.
2. Have you ever been the interviewer rather than the interviewee? If so, are you a tiger, a creampuff, or somewhere in between?
I think I'm more tigger (t-i-double guh-er) than tiger. I get enthusiasitic when I meet someone I think would be good in a position.
3. Do phone interviews make you more or less nervous than in-person ones?
I don't recall any phone interviews. I think it would be hard not to be able to see the other person's face and body language.
4. What was the best advice you ever got to prepare for an interview? How about the worst?
Apparently I don't listen to advice, because I can't tell you who said what and whether or not is was good or bad. I know people have offered advice, but I just don't remember what they said.
5. Do you have any pre-interview rituals that give you confidence?
Just take a deep breath, put it in God's hands and double check to make sure my skirt isn't tucked up into the top of my panty hose. Oh, and music. Listening to good music on the way or just before.
Songbird just had an interview for a "vague and interesting" possibility, and More Cows than People is doing campus visits for doctoral programs. There always seem to be a few RevGals applying for new positions, and I just got my first call for this year's preliminary interviews for college teaching jobs at the American Academy of Religion meeting in San Diego coming up in a few weeks. It's for my dream job among this year's offerings, and I am flipflopping between excitement and nervousness. So please keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer for everyone facing such conversations, and share your thoughts on the wonderful world of interviews:
1. What was the most memorable interview you ever had?
That would have to be the interviews for commissioning in my denomination. Three separate interviews with groups of 10-15 people. It was daunting! Fortunately, I had good prayer support and a friend that went with me (this was encouraged). The Typist at The Best Dog Ever made a great power point that played back at my home church while people gathered to pray. It worked. I passed!
I recently interviewed for a Hospice Chaplain position. I had a migraine earlier in the day. When I went to get my prescription refilled, the pharmacy was out of the medicine! I was not. a. happy. camper. I had them call the prescription to a store across the street. Each minute that passed was one less minute I had to get to feeling better before the interview. It takes a while for the meds to kick in. I was better, but not great by the interview time.
2. Have you ever been the interviewer rather than the interviewee? If so, are you a tiger, a creampuff, or somewhere in between?
I think I'm more tigger (t-i-double guh-er) than tiger. I get enthusiasitic when I meet someone I think would be good in a position.
3. Do phone interviews make you more or less nervous than in-person ones?
I don't recall any phone interviews. I think it would be hard not to be able to see the other person's face and body language.
4. What was the best advice you ever got to prepare for an interview? How about the worst?
Apparently I don't listen to advice, because I can't tell you who said what and whether or not is was good or bad. I know people have offered advice, but I just don't remember what they said.
5. Do you have any pre-interview rituals that give you confidence?
Just take a deep breath, put it in God's hands and double check to make sure my skirt isn't tucked up into the top of my panty hose. Oh, and music. Listening to good music on the way or just before.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Thoughts on Keeping Sabbath
Scripture Reading while at Clergy Retreat:
Exodus 31:13-17 "You shall keep my sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, given in order that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you. ......... 16 Therefore the Israelites shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed."
Keeping sabbath in order to know God is God. Keeping sabbath as a sign of God's creative work.
When we fail to keep sabbath - to rest and be refreshed - because there is too much to do, are we saying that God can't be trusted to accomplish what needs to be accomplished through us, so we need to help God out by putting in a few extra hours?
Keeping sabbath as a sign of faith. Keeping sabbath as acknowledgement of who God is and who we are. Hmmmm.
Thank you Lord for the time of rest this week. For the renewing activity of simply being with friends and being alone with you. Remind me Lord that your creative order includes sabbath. Amen.
Exodus 31:13-17 "You shall keep my sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, given in order that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you. ......... 16 Therefore the Israelites shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed."
Keeping sabbath in order to know God is God. Keeping sabbath as a sign of God's creative work.
When we fail to keep sabbath - to rest and be refreshed - because there is too much to do, are we saying that God can't be trusted to accomplish what needs to be accomplished through us, so we need to help God out by putting in a few extra hours?
Keeping sabbath as a sign of faith. Keeping sabbath as acknowledgement of who God is and who we are. Hmmmm.
Thank you Lord for the time of rest this week. For the renewing activity of simply being with friends and being alone with you. Remind me Lord that your creative order includes sabbath. Amen.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Update
Sorry, I haven't been around. I've been doing lots of web searching for my project, and get to the point I don't want to look at a computer screen anymore. So here's what is going on:
I have jumped into the Special Needs Ministry Resource Guide project with both feet. I took two items to the office where I'm working; a picture of my family and a stone square given to me at the end of CPE that says "Wherever you go, go with all your heart." That's what I'm trying to do. I am discovering more about my call and where I might be headed. This office feels very removed from the real world and the real needs of people in this world. I think I need closer contact. I entered seminary quite certain I was headed for parish ministry. Now I have no idea where I'm headed. The hospice called back and I went in for an interview. It felt good, but they are interviewing others. Then, if I make the first cut there is another tier of interviews. Soooooo, we will see whether or not that door opens.
manBoy's date likes her mum! Whew! I think that was weighing on me more than the whole appointment/job situation. He gave it to her last night, and she gave him the garter (mini-mum he wears on his arm) she made. They are wearing them to school today and the game tonight. Tomorrow the dance will be semi-formal, so no mum. I've been telling you all I wasn't ready to be the mom of a high school student. I don't know why I'm finding this stuff so hard. I'm excited for him, but I'm worrying way too much about the details.
G&T worked late last night and probably even later tonight. So much for celebrating our anniversary. Oh well, after 27 years we know life is like that sometimes. I did get a new head (prongs for the diamond) for my engagement ring a couple of weeks ago. The old one had been repaired once before when they were worn down and the diamond was in danger of falling out. This time when they got worn down, they had to be replaced. It looks really good now!
That's about all I know. What's going on in your world?
I have jumped into the Special Needs Ministry Resource Guide project with both feet. I took two items to the office where I'm working; a picture of my family and a stone square given to me at the end of CPE that says "Wherever you go, go with all your heart." That's what I'm trying to do. I am discovering more about my call and where I might be headed. This office feels very removed from the real world and the real needs of people in this world. I think I need closer contact. I entered seminary quite certain I was headed for parish ministry. Now I have no idea where I'm headed. The hospice called back and I went in for an interview. It felt good, but they are interviewing others. Then, if I make the first cut there is another tier of interviews. Soooooo, we will see whether or not that door opens.
manBoy's date likes her mum! Whew! I think that was weighing on me more than the whole appointment/job situation. He gave it to her last night, and she gave him the garter (mini-mum he wears on his arm) she made. They are wearing them to school today and the game tonight. Tomorrow the dance will be semi-formal, so no mum. I've been telling you all I wasn't ready to be the mom of a high school student. I don't know why I'm finding this stuff so hard. I'm excited for him, but I'm worrying way too much about the details.
G&T worked late last night and probably even later tonight. So much for celebrating our anniversary. Oh well, after 27 years we know life is like that sometimes. I did get a new head (prongs for the diamond) for my engagement ring a couple of weeks ago. The old one had been repaired once before when they were worn down and the diamond was in danger of falling out. This time when they got worn down, they had to be replaced. It looks really good now!
That's about all I know. What's going on in your world?
Friday Five: The B-I-B-L-E
From Mother Laura at RevGalBlogPals:
Does everyone remember the old Sunday School song?
The B-I-B-L-E,Oh, that's the book for me.
I take my stand on the Word of God,The B-I-B-L-E.
I have been working on an expansive language version of the Psalms and the Liturgy of the Hours/Divine Office/Breviary. (For you non-liturgical gals and pals, that's a set of prayers for morning, noon, evening, etc., mostly consisting of Psalms and other biblical texts).
So I have been thinking a lot about the Bible recently, and how we encounter it as God's Word--or don't--in our lives, prayer, and ministry. (Great minds think somewhat alike this week, as yesterday's Ask The Matriarch post dealt with ways to help as many people in a community as possible engage with a scriptural text in preparation for Sunday worship).
So, in that spirit, I offer my first Friday Five. I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's experience and reflection on these B-I-B-L-E questions:
1. What is your earliest memory of encountering a biblical text?
Since I've been in Sunday School all my life, I don't really remember. I do remember when my Grandmother told me about her Sunday School Lesson on the book of Ruth. I was in Elementary School and it was cool for an adult to be talking to me about the Bible like I might get it!
2. What is your favorite biblical translation, and why? (You might have a few for different purposes).
NRSV for study. I just picked up The Message. For some reason I resisted, but the Bishop read from it at a recent retreat, so I thought I would check it out with some bookstore gift cards I had. So far, I like it. I haven't read The Psalms in it though.
3. What is your favorite book of the Bible? Your favorite verse/passage?
Hmm. Hadn't really thought about a favorite book. I would have to say The Psalms. There is so much emotion and truth there. Favorite Passage(s): Romans 8:28 (NRSV), Nehemiah 8:8 (This is my call verse.), Psalm 51:10, Psalm 139:114 (It took a long time for me to believe this one.)
4. Which book of the Bible do you consider, in Luther's famous words about James, to be "an epistle of straw?" Which verse(s) make you want to scream?
The Revelation of John - misused, misunderstood...
5. Inclusive language in biblical translation and liturgical proclamation: for, against, or neutral?
For - especially when referring to humans. Mixed when referring to God. Not all God language should be masculine, but it doesn't need to be wiped out completely. My friend who speaks Chinese tells me there is a separate gender for God in her language.
Bonus: Back to the Psalms--which one best speaks the prayer of your heart?
It varies from day to day but I can really identify with Psalm 77:2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. Sometimes I'm not ready to be comforted, too hurt, too stubborn, too human.
Does everyone remember the old Sunday School song?
The B-I-B-L-E,Oh, that's the book for me.
I take my stand on the Word of God,The B-I-B-L-E.
I have been working on an expansive language version of the Psalms and the Liturgy of the Hours/Divine Office/Breviary. (For you non-liturgical gals and pals, that's a set of prayers for morning, noon, evening, etc., mostly consisting of Psalms and other biblical texts).
So I have been thinking a lot about the Bible recently, and how we encounter it as God's Word--or don't--in our lives, prayer, and ministry. (Great minds think somewhat alike this week, as yesterday's Ask The Matriarch post dealt with ways to help as many people in a community as possible engage with a scriptural text in preparation for Sunday worship).
So, in that spirit, I offer my first Friday Five. I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's experience and reflection on these B-I-B-L-E questions:
1. What is your earliest memory of encountering a biblical text?
Since I've been in Sunday School all my life, I don't really remember. I do remember when my Grandmother told me about her Sunday School Lesson on the book of Ruth. I was in Elementary School and it was cool for an adult to be talking to me about the Bible like I might get it!
2. What is your favorite biblical translation, and why? (You might have a few for different purposes).
NRSV for study. I just picked up The Message. For some reason I resisted, but the Bishop read from it at a recent retreat, so I thought I would check it out with some bookstore gift cards I had. So far, I like it. I haven't read The Psalms in it though.
3. What is your favorite book of the Bible? Your favorite verse/passage?
Hmm. Hadn't really thought about a favorite book. I would have to say The Psalms. There is so much emotion and truth there. Favorite Passage(s): Romans 8:28 (NRSV), Nehemiah 8:8 (This is my call verse.), Psalm 51:10, Psalm 139:114 (It took a long time for me to believe this one.)
4. Which book of the Bible do you consider, in Luther's famous words about James, to be "an epistle of straw?" Which verse(s) make you want to scream?
The Revelation of John - misused, misunderstood...
5. Inclusive language in biblical translation and liturgical proclamation: for, against, or neutral?
For - especially when referring to humans. Mixed when referring to God. Not all God language should be masculine, but it doesn't need to be wiped out completely. My friend who speaks Chinese tells me there is a separate gender for God in her language.
Bonus: Back to the Psalms--which one best speaks the prayer of your heart?
It varies from day to day but I can really identify with Psalm 77:2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. Sometimes I'm not ready to be comforted, too hurt, too stubborn, too human.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Fab Four Meme
I've been tagged by The Typist This one is all about fours. Answering this has been interesting. My life has been relatively stable (or boring), so I have trouble coming up with some of these fours.
Four jobs I've held:
Camp Counselor
Flower Shop Delivery Person
Special Education Teacher (in 7 different schools)
Hospital Chaplain
Four films I could watch over and over:
It's a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
Holiday Inn
A Christmas Story
or All the Harry Potter Movies
Four TV shows I watch:
NCIS
Numbers
The Vicar of Dibley (BritCom)
As Time Goes By (BritCom)
Four places I've lived:
Town next door to famous university.
Small town where I went to College
Large City
Current Suburb
Four favorite foods:
Shrimp
Key Lime Pie
Gooey Enchiladas
Dark Chocolate Mint anything (Have you tried the new Mint Three Muskateers?)
Four websites I visit everyday: (or almost daily)
mail.yahoo.com
revgalblogpals.blogspot.com
http://cubpoppy.blogspot.com/
http://revdulce.blogspot.com/
Four Favorite Colors:
Peach & Teal
Blue & White
Four places I would love to be right now:
In a hammock on the beach
In a hammock on the porch of a mountain cabin
At Fancy Lakeside Resort having a massage
Here in my own home
Four names I love but would/could not use for my children:
What, only four? Remember I taught school for 20 years. Do you know how many names have been ruined for me? manBoy only has his real name because the year he came to us, I threatened a kid he must never do anything so bad I wouldn't want to use his name for my son.
Heather
Brandon
Skyler
Rose
I tag RevDulce, spoookyrach, The Vicar of Hogsmeade, and reverendmommy.Hope y'all haven't already been tagged by somebody... this one's going around!
Four jobs I've held:
Camp Counselor
Flower Shop Delivery Person
Special Education Teacher (in 7 different schools)
Hospital Chaplain
Four films I could watch over and over:
It's a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
Holiday Inn
A Christmas Story
or All the Harry Potter Movies
Four TV shows I watch:
NCIS
Numbers
The Vicar of Dibley (BritCom)
As Time Goes By (BritCom)
Four places I've lived:
Town next door to famous university.
Small town where I went to College
Large City
Current Suburb
Four favorite foods:
Shrimp
Key Lime Pie
Gooey Enchiladas
Dark Chocolate Mint anything (Have you tried the new Mint Three Muskateers?)
Four websites I visit everyday: (or almost daily)
mail.yahoo.com
revgalblogpals.blogspot.com
http://cubpoppy.blogspot.com/
http://revdulce.blogspot.com/
Four Favorite Colors:
Peach & Teal
Blue & White
Four places I would love to be right now:
In a hammock on the beach
In a hammock on the porch of a mountain cabin
At Fancy Lakeside Resort having a massage
Here in my own home
Four names I love but would/could not use for my children:
What, only four? Remember I taught school for 20 years. Do you know how many names have been ruined for me? manBoy only has his real name because the year he came to us, I threatened a kid he must never do anything so bad I wouldn't want to use his name for my son.
Heather
Brandon
Skyler
Rose
I tag RevDulce, spoookyrach, The Vicar of Hogsmeade, and reverendmommy.Hope y'all haven't already been tagged by somebody... this one's going around!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?
For the last 18 months I have felt like Maria in the beginning of the movie The Sound of Music. The cabinet didn't seem to know what to do with my friend and me when we managed to pass commissioning interviews a year before we graduated. They didn't know what to do with me now that I've finished CPE in the middle of the appointment year.
Today, they came up with an answer, albeit very temporary. From Oct. 1 -31 I will be working for the Conference office gathering information and creating a resource for ministering to persons with special needs in the church. Given my 20 years of teaching special education and the fact that I've done some research on this for earlier presentations and seminary papers, this will be right up my alley. It keeps me in the appointment system, it gives us income, and allows me to continue my residency (probationary period) for at least one more month. We will have to see what happens next, but for now I am relieved.
Today, they came up with an answer, albeit very temporary. From Oct. 1 -31 I will be working for the Conference office gathering information and creating a resource for ministering to persons with special needs in the church. Given my 20 years of teaching special education and the fact that I've done some research on this for earlier presentations and seminary papers, this will be right up my alley. It keeps me in the appointment system, it gives us income, and allows me to continue my residency (probationary period) for at least one more month. We will have to see what happens next, but for now I am relieved.
I saw it coming
but was
powerless
to prevent it.
A gentle nudge
of the vacuum cleaner
against the shelf
where the
precariously
perched
picture
began sliding into
the glass bowl
which began its own journey
across the shelf
and
off
onto the marble tile
where it shattered
into hundreds of pieces.
This is how my life feels today. Then I am reminded that shattered dreams are easier to repair than shattered bodies. Emails today speak of an infant waiting skull surgery and a friend's brother on hospice care.
Lord, today I can only pray that you will keep my perspective right and show me your way. Amen
powerless
to prevent it.
A gentle nudge
of the vacuum cleaner
against the shelf
where the
precariously
perched
picture
began sliding into
the glass bowl
which began its own journey
across the shelf
and
off
onto the marble tile
where it shattered
into hundreds of pieces.
This is how my life feels today. Then I am reminded that shattered dreams are easier to repair than shattered bodies. Emails today speak of an infant waiting skull surgery and a friend's brother on hospice care.
Lord, today I can only pray that you will keep my perspective right and show me your way. Amen
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
I thought...
perhaps I had found just the right thing to do for the next while. It felt right. It would use all I've learned in CPE, but have little of the anticipation of what trauma will happen next that I found so difficult.
But
it
seems
that door may not open either. I visited with the chief chaplain. We connected. However, she doesn't make hiring decisions. The hiring manager already has someone in mind for the job.
I did learn today that there is little or no hope of an appointment before January.
I
can't
wait
until January to be employed.
Lord, you know my needs (and my wants). Show me where and when I need to wait and when I need to act. Amen.
But
it
seems
that door may not open either. I visited with the chief chaplain. We connected. However, she doesn't make hiring decisions. The hiring manager already has someone in mind for the job.
I did learn today that there is little or no hope of an appointment before January.
I
can't
wait
until January to be employed.
Lord, you know my needs (and my wants). Show me where and when I need to wait and when I need to act. Amen.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Encouragement ..... and tidbits
Success
is measured
not only
in achievements...
but in lessons learned,
lives touched,
moments shared
along the way.
This was on a card that came in the mail today. It was sent by G&T's aunt and uncle in Minnesota without knowledge of last week's set back. It was just what I needed.
As I faced my disappointment last week, I asked a particular group of people to pray for encouragement for me. I have received encouragement from every direction. G&T, manBoy, my mom, blog friends, church friends, seminary friends, neighborhood friends have all offered emails, phone calls, hugs, and words of encouragement for staying the course. So I am grateful to all of you who prayed and commented and called and hugged in person on via the net. I am truly blessed.
I am in a better place, but I still don't know what the future holds. Today I reworked my resume with a teaching focus so I can apply for a substitute teacher. My heart isn't in it, but I didn't cry at the thought of going there. I meet with the DS on Wednesday and I'll have a better idea then if I need to find employment and for how long.
Tidbits:
Homecoming Mum: I realize this is a unique practice to my part of the country, but it is important here. manBoy and I went yesterday to purchase the needed materials. At least I hope we got what is needed. He has asked creative neighbor to help him put it all together. We are trying not to go overboard. We saw already created mums for $180 at the craft store. At the same time, I don't want his date to feel short changed. Her mother has asked that we do all of this in moderation since they are only freshmen. Sounds good to me. Now, if I can figure out what a moderate mum looks like. I actually dreamed about this last night. Do you think my other stress is coming out in odd places?
Organizing: What does it say about me that I organized my organizational tools yesterday? You know, binders, folders, and notebook dividers. Now they are neatly stored and easily accessible.
I definitely think I'm needing to feel in control somewhere.
Self Absorption: As I ventured forth from home this weekend, I was reminded that there are people all around me who are struggling with far worse issues than me. A widow approaching the first anniversary of her husband's death. Two friends helping their extended families through crisis. A young couple holding their few months old baby before she goes in for skull surgery. A two year old with Down's Syndrome and Leukemia. Too much time at home to think has not been good for my perspective.
Lord, open my eyes to the suffering around me. Show me where I can be part of your healing touch. Amen.
is measured
not only
in achievements...
but in lessons learned,
lives touched,
moments shared
along the way.
This was on a card that came in the mail today. It was sent by G&T's aunt and uncle in Minnesota without knowledge of last week's set back. It was just what I needed.
As I faced my disappointment last week, I asked a particular group of people to pray for encouragement for me. I have received encouragement from every direction. G&T, manBoy, my mom, blog friends, church friends, seminary friends, neighborhood friends have all offered emails, phone calls, hugs, and words of encouragement for staying the course. So I am grateful to all of you who prayed and commented and called and hugged in person on via the net. I am truly blessed.
I am in a better place, but I still don't know what the future holds. Today I reworked my resume with a teaching focus so I can apply for a substitute teacher. My heart isn't in it, but I didn't cry at the thought of going there. I meet with the DS on Wednesday and I'll have a better idea then if I need to find employment and for how long.
Tidbits:
Homecoming Mum: I realize this is a unique practice to my part of the country, but it is important here. manBoy and I went yesterday to purchase the needed materials. At least I hope we got what is needed. He has asked creative neighbor to help him put it all together. We are trying not to go overboard. We saw already created mums for $180 at the craft store. At the same time, I don't want his date to feel short changed. Her mother has asked that we do all of this in moderation since they are only freshmen. Sounds good to me. Now, if I can figure out what a moderate mum looks like. I actually dreamed about this last night. Do you think my other stress is coming out in odd places?
Organizing: What does it say about me that I organized my organizational tools yesterday? You know, binders, folders, and notebook dividers. Now they are neatly stored and easily accessible.
I definitely think I'm needing to feel in control somewhere.
Self Absorption: As I ventured forth from home this weekend, I was reminded that there are people all around me who are struggling with far worse issues than me. A widow approaching the first anniversary of her husband's death. Two friends helping their extended families through crisis. A young couple holding their few months old baby before she goes in for skull surgery. A two year old with Down's Syndrome and Leukemia. Too much time at home to think has not been good for my perspective.
Lord, open my eyes to the suffering around me. Show me where I can be part of your healing touch. Amen.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Friday 5 - de-cluttering edition
I'm just now posting because I spent the whole day scrubbing the kitchen and putting the den back together after the foundation repair. I now have a pile of stuff that's not going back into the den in my garage. Tomorrow it will go to a local charity that has a resale shop.
Sally at RevGalBlogPals writes this timely meme.
With Jo, Jon and Chris all moving to college and University accommodation there has been a big clear up going on in the Coleman household. We have been sorting and trying hard not just to junk stuff, but actually to get it to where it can be useful. On a brighter note we have used Freecycle ( check it out) to provide the twins with pots and pans etc that other folk were clearing out.
Making the most of our resources is important, I have been challenged this week by the amount of stuff we accumulate, I'd love to live a simpler lifestyle, it would be good for me, and for the environment I think...
With that in mind I bring you this Friday 5;
1. Are you a hoarder or a minimalist?
Somewhere between, but closer to minimalist.
I have a few boxes of keepsakes going back to my childhood and of course manBoy's infancy. I have my original teddy bear along with some others I've collected. However, I have no problem gettting rid of things that are not sentimental or useful. I prefer an uncluttered look.
2. Name one important object ( could be an heirloom) that you will never part with.
Wedding Rings. I've worn them almost 27 years. Not the biggest of diamonds, but the one we chose together.
3. What is the oldest item in your closet? Does it still fit???
Fancy party dress bought as reward for losing weight some time in the late 80's. Sadly it doesn't come close to fitting.
4.Yard sales- love 'em or hate 'em ?
To sell or to shop? I will hold one if I have enough time to go through the whole house and gather up stuff. Lately, I've gleaned one room at a time and wind up just donating to above charity as I don't accumulate critical mass to have a garage sale. We bought much of manBoy's baby equipment at garage sales. In the time of BC (before child), G&T and I used to go garage sale shopping just for fun. That was a simpler time. Now we spend Saturday mornings at Cross Country meets.
5. Name a recycling habit you really want to get into.
That's hard. We are fortunate to have once a week curbside pick up for recycling plastic, paper, glass, metal, and yard debris, so it's easy to recycle that stuff. manBoy's clothes get passed down to cousin or donated. One thing I need to do is find a place to donate old eyeglasses. All three of us wear them and we have quite a collection. I know the Lion's club collects them. I just have to find where.
And for a bonus- well anything you want to add....
Today: the kitchen and den
Tomorrow: my office/ guest room.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Sally at RevGalBlogPals writes this timely meme.
With Jo, Jon and Chris all moving to college and University accommodation there has been a big clear up going on in the Coleman household. We have been sorting and trying hard not just to junk stuff, but actually to get it to where it can be useful. On a brighter note we have used Freecycle ( check it out) to provide the twins with pots and pans etc that other folk were clearing out.
Making the most of our resources is important, I have been challenged this week by the amount of stuff we accumulate, I'd love to live a simpler lifestyle, it would be good for me, and for the environment I think...
With that in mind I bring you this Friday 5;
1. Are you a hoarder or a minimalist?
Somewhere between, but closer to minimalist.
I have a few boxes of keepsakes going back to my childhood and of course manBoy's infancy. I have my original teddy bear along with some others I've collected. However, I have no problem gettting rid of things that are not sentimental or useful. I prefer an uncluttered look.
2. Name one important object ( could be an heirloom) that you will never part with.
Wedding Rings. I've worn them almost 27 years. Not the biggest of diamonds, but the one we chose together.
3. What is the oldest item in your closet? Does it still fit???
Fancy party dress bought as reward for losing weight some time in the late 80's. Sadly it doesn't come close to fitting.
4.Yard sales- love 'em or hate 'em ?
To sell or to shop? I will hold one if I have enough time to go through the whole house and gather up stuff. Lately, I've gleaned one room at a time and wind up just donating to above charity as I don't accumulate critical mass to have a garage sale. We bought much of manBoy's baby equipment at garage sales. In the time of BC (before child), G&T and I used to go garage sale shopping just for fun. That was a simpler time. Now we spend Saturday mornings at Cross Country meets.
5. Name a recycling habit you really want to get into.
That's hard. We are fortunate to have once a week curbside pick up for recycling plastic, paper, glass, metal, and yard debris, so it's easy to recycle that stuff. manBoy's clothes get passed down to cousin or donated. One thing I need to do is find a place to donate old eyeglasses. All three of us wear them and we have quite a collection. I know the Lion's club collects them. I just have to find where.
And for a bonus- well anything you want to add....
Today: the kitchen and den
Tomorrow: my office/ guest room.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Being Dissed or Crisis of Call
I've been dissed - disappointed, discouraged, and disillusioned. The waiting has been for nothing or so it feels. The sure thing isn't sure any more. I'm wondering why I'm even still trying. It would be so much easier to go back to teaching. I checked - there are special education openings in the neighboring suburb. The call that seemed so clear so long ago is less clear now. I'm pouting and I know it, but that's how I feel for today. Of course it doesn't help that I'm stuck at home today while our foundation is being repaired (costing lots and lots of dollars). So maybe I'll just pout a while longer.
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