We could not decide how best to handle the Peace light. Blowing it out seemed, well, rude. So, we allowed fate or the candle maker to decide.
Our light remained lit all through Christmas Eve, Christmas day and the Blizzard of 2012. It was a joy to have the light during the bad weather.
Sometime in the wee hours of this morning our candle simply ran out of wax... and the light was snuffed out. Now the light is gone, but peace remains with us.
And peace will certainly go before us into 2013! So the candle may be out of wax, but we're not out of peace.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Christmas is HERE!
This photo says it all!
Santa arrived in time! And at 6:30am our daughter got us up to see what he had brought!
Next two hours were a shredding of paper and excited squeals!
Love it!
She got to tired and tuckered out from opening that we paused mid-unwrapping
for a snack (breakfast) break! :)
Hope your holiday and holy day were as special as ours!
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas Eve after 11pm
It is Christmas! It is Christmas!!!!
We celebrated with 1061 folks tonight the birth of our Lord and Savior! Woo hoo!
How lovely was the cello at 11pm! Wow- and some of the folks who came out tonight I have not seen in a long time. Was wonderful to see them and their Christmas smiles.
Now, I must clean up and pack up to drive home.
Marry Christmas, everyone! And God bless us, everyone!
We celebrated with 1061 folks tonight the birth of our Lord and Savior! Woo hoo!
How lovely was the cello at 11pm! Wow- and some of the folks who came out tonight I have not seen in a long time. Was wonderful to see them and their Christmas smiles.
Now, I must clean up and pack up to drive home.
Marry Christmas, everyone! And God bless us, everyone!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas Eve after 9pm
Now, we're in the last stretch... one more time!
Lovely to see out college students in worship this evening. So many folks dressed in red sweaters and boys in ties and young gals in fancy dresses! Too fun.
Our Youth did our religious graffiti on the luminary bags this year and they did a wonderful job! Love it!
Super music again!
Feel so blessed I could burst. But ready to get another Diet Coke and maybe a cookie or too!
Lovely to see out college students in worship this evening. So many folks dressed in red sweaters and boys in ties and young gals in fancy dresses! Too fun.
Our Youth did our religious graffiti on the luminary bags this year and they did a wonderful job! Love it!
Super music again!
Feel so blessed I could burst. But ready to get another Diet Coke and maybe a cookie or too!
Christmas Eve after 7pm
Okay, so this pastor puddled up during her reading of the gospel message! Favorite moments and godly moments:
Now that I have vacuumed... off to worship again!
- watching my daughter snuggled up to her daddy (my husband)
- listening to the pre-worship show my an eager 3rd grade acolyte
- cheery "Merry Christmas!" from a little kid during worship
- gorgeous music!
- amazing O Holy Night solo by Katie that made me weep!
- sharing Holy Communion with our people
- knowing that the light for all of our candles this year came to us from Bethlehem!
- sharing Holy Communion with our nursery people
- watching the sanctuary lit up with candles! WOW!
Now that I have vacuumed... off to worship again!
Christmas Eve after 5pm
WOW-it was noisy and wonderful! The Holy family sat in the front row the entire time and even participated in the Message (aka the Children's Sermon)! And yes, Baby Jesus is a girl this year! Woo hoo! Girls rock!
Packed service with lots of smiles and families! Thoroughly was blessed by the reading of the Isaiah passage in which the family read antiphonally the names for GOD! Awesome!
Wonderful! Simply wonderful!
Now for some Chinese food and Diet Coke!
Packed service with lots of smiles and families! Thoroughly was blessed by the reading of the Isaiah passage in which the family read antiphonally the names for GOD! Awesome!
Wonderful! Simply wonderful!
Now for some Chinese food and Diet Coke!
Pre-Christmas Eve Services 2012
Here we go! In less than 21 minutes we begin our l-o-n-g night of music, Communion, carols, messages, and Light as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child!
As Spongebob would say, "I am ready!"
My thank you notes have already been started... the food is to be delivered for the staff meal in between services and the crowd in the sanctuary is growing! Woo hoo!
Hopefully, all is well on the home front with my little family.
See you later to blog all about it!
Merry Christmas-ing!
As Spongebob would say, "I am ready!"
My thank you notes have already been started... the food is to be delivered for the staff meal in between services and the crowd in the sanctuary is growing! Woo hoo!
Hopefully, all is well on the home front with my little family.
See you later to blog all about it!
Merry Christmas-ing!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Advent 4
Since the world did not end (via the Mayan calendar) we will have the last week of Advent after all! No snow storm will stop us. And it is a short week... one day and part of another. Does not give us much time to pause and ponder the fourth candle added to our wreath. The candle of love.
The powers that be (aka the dude who works down the hall from me) decided that I should preach this weekend. The Gospel text is from Luke's first chapter about Mary visiting her kinswoman, Elizabeth. In spite of the fact that I have been sharing this story all month with our shut ins, my sermon work this week has been slow and tedious.
Yet every time I gaze upon this piece of art... and bit more of the crusty junk of life flake off of me and my heart melts into the love poured out at Christmas. Ponder this art and pray.
(The three of you that read this will see this piece again on Sunday in worship as I share it with our congregation.) May Love dwell among and within us! And may we leap with JOY!
The powers that be (aka the dude who works down the hall from me) decided that I should preach this weekend. The Gospel text is from Luke's first chapter about Mary visiting her kinswoman, Elizabeth. In spite of the fact that I have been sharing this story all month with our shut ins, my sermon work this week has been slow and tedious.
Yet every time I gaze upon this piece of art... and bit more of the crusty junk of life flake off of me and my heart melts into the love poured out at Christmas. Ponder this art and pray.
(The three of you that read this will see this piece again on Sunday in worship as I share it with our congregation.) May Love dwell among and within us! And may we leap with JOY!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Tending the Light
Yesterday as my eight year old sat in the car with me doing her grammar homework, we traveled north to my church office. A trip to my church office is not unusual for my daughter and I, but this errand had a special purpose. Diana listened during the sermon on the weekend about the Peace Light, she said, "I want to get the light too, Momma!" and now we were on our way to receive the light. (See www.peacelight.org )
She is quite smitten with the Light. In fact, she is taken by it. So precious to watch her keen and avid interest in the Light. She told me how she had dreamed about bringing the Light home. And how special the Light is.
Once we arrived at church, she carefully lit our candle from the peace light flame in the office suite. And then we began our eight mile journey with an open flame in our car! We made sure her favorite stuffed animal (her caterpillar) would not catch fire. All the way, she would give me updates, "Its okay Momma, the light is just fine!" And then after a moment of deep thought, "You know, Momma, if our light goes out we could still drive back to church and get another!" It seems my kid has an emergency plan for the light.
Once home she literally introduced her father to the Peace Light as if it had a persona all it's own (and it does!) She told him all about how it had traveled from the church in Bethlehem (Church of the Nativity (built on the traditional site of Christ's birthplace a cave/grotto in the hillside of Bethlehem) and is lit by a child every year) and now the light is going around the world before Christmas.
Throughout the evening while making Christmas cookies and decorating them, she checked on the light.
Early this morning in the dark rain, she wandered into the kitchen in her fuzzy, footed jammies to see how the light was doing.
I was summoned about out of bed with, "Oh, Momma, come see... it is beautiful! The light is glowing all around. (She paused to grab my hand in hers) You know Momma, as the light goes around the world to more and more people... something really good is going to happen this year because this Light is special! it is from Bethlehem!"
My kid tends the Light. And she is tended by the One Who Is the Light. And how exquisitely beautiful to see them glow upon each other... my child's face glowing with God's Light of Peace and the Light of Peace spilling over into the light in my child's eyes.
This is my moment. Now I have had Christmas come... into my heart.
Come tend the Light and be tended by it!
She is quite smitten with the Light. In fact, she is taken by it. So precious to watch her keen and avid interest in the Light. She told me how she had dreamed about bringing the Light home. And how special the Light is.
Once we arrived at church, she carefully lit our candle from the peace light flame in the office suite. And then we began our eight mile journey with an open flame in our car! We made sure her favorite stuffed animal (her caterpillar) would not catch fire. All the way, she would give me updates, "Its okay Momma, the light is just fine!" And then after a moment of deep thought, "You know, Momma, if our light goes out we could still drive back to church and get another!" It seems my kid has an emergency plan for the light.
Once home she literally introduced her father to the Peace Light as if it had a persona all it's own (and it does!) She told him all about how it had traveled from the church in Bethlehem (Church of the Nativity (built on the traditional site of Christ's birthplace a cave/grotto in the hillside of Bethlehem) and is lit by a child every year) and now the light is going around the world before Christmas.
Throughout the evening while making Christmas cookies and decorating them, she checked on the light.
Early this morning in the dark rain, she wandered into the kitchen in her fuzzy, footed jammies to see how the light was doing.
I was summoned about out of bed with, "Oh, Momma, come see... it is beautiful! The light is glowing all around. (She paused to grab my hand in hers) You know Momma, as the light goes around the world to more and more people... something really good is going to happen this year because this Light is special! it is from Bethlehem!"
My kid tends the Light. And she is tended by the One Who Is the Light. And how exquisitely beautiful to see them glow upon each other... my child's face glowing with God's Light of Peace and the Light of Peace spilling over into the light in my child's eyes.
This is my moment. Now I have had Christmas come... into my heart.
Come tend the Light and be tended by it!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The Kid's View
Often I forget how tall I am or how extremely tall my husband is. Too busy running around in my own world to notice my impact on the world, I guess.
That is until recently. As I was sorting photos off of my phone, I ran across one that my daughter took of my husband and I at the Circle of Lights Christmas Tree lighting in downtown Indianapolis.
In spite of the blur, you can tell just how much shorter she is than us... and how hard it was to get her tall parents into the frame of the photo. My husband's head is part way there... see?!
The photo reminds me of perspective. Where we stand, how tall we stand, and what sort of shoes we stand in impact how and what we see and experience.
Begs the question what is a kid's view? a grandparent's viewpoint from a wheelchair? a friend's view? And how much more understanding and communication can happen when we pause and consider another person's perspective!!!
That is until recently. As I was sorting photos off of my phone, I ran across one that my daughter took of my husband and I at the Circle of Lights Christmas Tree lighting in downtown Indianapolis.
In spite of the blur, you can tell just how much shorter she is than us... and how hard it was to get her tall parents into the frame of the photo. My husband's head is part way there... see?!
The photo reminds me of perspective. Where we stand, how tall we stand, and what sort of shoes we stand in impact how and what we see and experience.
Begs the question what is a kid's view? a grandparent's viewpoint from a wheelchair? a friend's view? And how much more understanding and communication can happen when we pause and consider another person's perspective!!!
Santa List
This year I think I shall write to Santa Claus myself with my grown up wish list of wants and needs. All I want for is peace in Jerusalem, an end to cancer, brain tumors, and disease. I'd like a simple cure for mental illness too.
But before I write that list up ... here is a picture of my daughter's letter to Santa. And yes, her poor penmanship is from her mother as I did horrible in handwriting in second grade as well.
We mailed her letter to Santa a week ago via the local library special red and green Santa Express Mail Box. Hope to get a return letter soon.
When we had the chance to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus at a holiday party on Sunday night, he had not yet received the news of Diana's requests. So, she had the opportunity to whisper them into his ear.
Later as Santa left the party in an unmarked old car, so that no one would recognize him, and the sleigh was in in for repairs, I heard my daughter exclaim as he drove out of sight, "Santa is awesome and to all a good night!"
But before I write that list up ... here is a picture of my daughter's letter to Santa. And yes, her poor penmanship is from her mother as I did horrible in handwriting in second grade as well.
We mailed her letter to Santa a week ago via the local library special red and green Santa Express Mail Box. Hope to get a return letter soon.
When we had the chance to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus at a holiday party on Sunday night, he had not yet received the news of Diana's requests. So, she had the opportunity to whisper them into his ear.
Later as Santa left the party in an unmarked old car, so that no one would recognize him, and the sleigh was in in for repairs, I heard my daughter exclaim as he drove out of sight, "Santa is awesome and to all a good night!"
Monday, December 3, 2012
When not blogging...
- On Mondays I am at the mercy of a 2nd grade teacher who has endless interruptions, questions, sniffling children at her side. Each requiring zillions of photocopied pages and papers (collated and stapled, thank you very much.) And then the students need things laminated for the classroom. Papers graded. Math evaluated. Special projects hung on bulletin boards for all to admire. Papers filed and questions answered. And so on and so forth. Some Mondays I am there for 2 hours and other Mondays (when teaching is tougher I am there for 3 hours). After I finish at school, I drive around Avon doing 'errands'. Then I clean house, finish laundry and attempt to organize my household for the week...only to dash back to the school by 3:30pm in order to get the child to her piano lesson. sigh. Monday nights usually end with a grumpy me.
- On Tuesdays after a busy day of ministry at church... I come home to be Mom, homework helper, cook, and Chauffeur. My husband has graduate class on Tuesday nights so it is a girl's night with lots of homework and then dance class.
- On Wednesday we have a staff meeting to organize, prepare, vent, laugh, evaluate, complain, and try to get our stuff together. After the meeting it seems there is always EVEN MORE to accomplish. Why is that?, I wonder.
- On Thursdays I just might get caught up on ministy things leftover from Tuesday and Wednesday, but usually what happens is this...I get interupted. Now, before you wax poetic to me about how "interuptions are ministry" I know that. But still I get interupted in the middle of the interuptions! ACK! And that is why I rarely blog on Thursdays.
- On Fridays I figure why bother trying to accomplish anything because I'll just get interupted again anyway. At least I have a more relaxed attitude on Fridays... which may mean that I'll sneak in a blog or two every fourth month or when there is a full moon in December.
- On Saturdays it is useless to blog so I do not even open the computer. Too many household projects, piano practicing, grocery stores to shop at etc.
- On Sunday when my heart is full from worship would be a terrific time to blog. But I don't. Instead, we cram more family activities or a weekly playdate or a football game. Mostly it is filled with boring things like laundry and my husband's homework for school. Now on Sundays I run over to the facility where my father is so that I can see him and grab his laundry to wash. Sigh... no room for blogging on Sundays.
And that is why and how I come to have so few blogs this year... I like sleep more than I like to write. Hate me for it or tease me about it, but you'll find I am much more pleasant to be around if I have had sleep than if I have been staying up all night writing blogs! :)
Friday, November 30, 2012
Special God Moments
In spite of all the stress and strain of ministry, motherhood, family, approaching holy season, world politics, economical 'cliffs' and other 21st century perils... I must say that I have been blessed my amazing moments of love, hope and joy. Just wanted to share my fav God-moments from Thanksgiving to today.
- Thanksgiving celebration with my husband's family exceeded my hopes and expectations because was filled with precious memories and wonderful moments with family. And the photos from the day do great justice of the warmth and love of our afternoon together! yay!
- little notes and gifts have appeared on my office desk or in my home mail box from folks who love me and wanted to offer their loving support and kindness. You know, it is a joy to be kind to others... but what a gift when that kindness boomerangs back to you! Wow, that is cool.
- enjoying a wonderful Christmas lunch with our church staff on Wednesday this week.. and catching up on non-ministry stuff, but each other's lives was a gift!
- meeting the new UM church start pastor along with my colleagues on Tuesday and hearing the excitement and passion for the un-churched did my heart and my ministry a world of good!
- listening to a good friend report that everything we asked for in prayer about her husband's surgery has come to fruition and how blessed they feel.
- snuggling with my girl in the morning darkness and listening to her share her wonder and fantasies about what Santa might bring!
- enjoying a nice glass of wine with my husband (without kid, dog, school work, or housework) and planning our next date night adventure
- phone call from my mother in law today who said, "I got the pictures from Thanksgiving. Wow- they are wonderful. (then she cried) and you know the one with you and me... well, looking at your face I realized how much you love me. Michelle, thank you for loving me."
See, no matter what else is going wrong in the world.. how stressed I am about my father;s care at the rehab facility or what outcome will happen, or if our church budget will end the year in the black, or if Duke basketball will continue it's winning streak or if broken marriages in our congregation will be healed or if the stock market will plunder or if whatever... God is still moving among us.. bring life, hope, joy and peace!
And isn't that what Advent celebrates?!: the coming of God INTO this broken, messed up world in which we live.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Something New
After a look in the mirror this morning, I noticed something different about myself. And no, it does not involve wrinkles or laugh lines or hair color.
The something new I carry with me is almost invisible yet, is noticeable too. During a laugh this morning with my office mates, I inquired if they saw something different about me today. After a good look up and down my frame and a sheepish concern to not mention the ten pounds I have re-gained since my mini-marathon training finished... they were left puzzled.
Yet, the change is there. Now I bear the role of a care giver for an aging, disabled parent. I can see the change if no one else does. And I am trying to sort out how I want to be in this role while at the same time not desiring this role at all.
"It's weird", has been my comment to friends. And I have not yet gotten much further than that.
But, I am assuming that like you do not become a capable spouse or loving parent in a day... this too is a role a person 'grows' into. I do not have to figure everything on the first day of this 'job', but perhaps I can try different things and discover how it is that God calls me to fulfill this new role and responsibility.
Already mistakes have been made by me. And there will be more.
Which is why I am ever more grateful that God's mercy and grace go before me... in all things including care-giving.
The something new I carry with me is almost invisible yet, is noticeable too. During a laugh this morning with my office mates, I inquired if they saw something different about me today. After a good look up and down my frame and a sheepish concern to not mention the ten pounds I have re-gained since my mini-marathon training finished... they were left puzzled.
Yet, the change is there. Now I bear the role of a care giver for an aging, disabled parent. I can see the change if no one else does. And I am trying to sort out how I want to be in this role while at the same time not desiring this role at all.
"It's weird", has been my comment to friends. And I have not yet gotten much further than that.
But, I am assuming that like you do not become a capable spouse or loving parent in a day... this too is a role a person 'grows' into. I do not have to figure everything on the first day of this 'job', but perhaps I can try different things and discover how it is that God calls me to fulfill this new role and responsibility.
Already mistakes have been made by me. And there will be more.
Which is why I am ever more grateful that God's mercy and grace go before me... in all things including care-giving.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Thanksgiving- A Month Long
I am ever so grateful that the calendar and the church year rotate in such a way that Advent is consumed within the month of December. It leaves all of November to embrace harvest and thanksgiving!
And I need a month, at least, to meditate on my gratitude. Here is a start at how I begin the month with gratefulness of heart, soul, and mind. I am grateful for...
And I need a month, at least, to meditate on my gratitude. Here is a start at how I begin the month with gratefulness of heart, soul, and mind. I am grateful for...
- the mind and heart which I was given.
- to share life's joys and sorrows with my best friend Eric, Diana and our God-Three-in-One!
- live in a nation that has weird and uncomfortable/challenging elections and then the next day go about our business of living together.
- for the power of prayer
- for All Saints Day and the reminder of our loved ones who have finished their course in faith and now rest from their labor.
- for leftover Halloween candy
- for my dog who sleeps at my feet
- for hot tea in the morning
- a working dishwasher
- that as messy as my life is... it could be much, much worse.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Giving Back
Sharing with your best friend must be one of the sweetest things this side of heaven. It some ways it doesn't matter what you share... laughter, chocolate, movie, funny story, a sad time, a regret... Joys and sorrows are made all the more wonderful when you are a companion to someone else and experience their companionship in return.
Imagine how filled my heart was in worship this weekend to give a testimony with my best friend about how he grew in giving and then how we are growing together in our giving to God's work in the world!! Makes me want to brag on my God and my husband too! Go God!
Several weeks ago I began a Giving Journal. Mostly it is filled with answers to some challenging giving questions from a book I am reading. You'll find stories of givers in my family in there. Lists of things that I am passionate about. And some little seeds of ideas or ways in which I feel compelled to share with God's world the blessings that I have received.
It is ironic or God's timing or the work of the Spirit... that my Giving Journal has begun at this same season of my life in which I find myself care giving for multiple parents with ill health or disabled conditions. Hmm... don't think I have not noticed the irony or coincidence. Curious. Very curious, indeed.
What does it mean? Not sure. Will I find out? Probably. Right now I am sitting with these two awareness's: 1) that I in a completely new and different care giving role and 2) and I am in the reflection mode of discerning how is it that seek to be a giver.
Now we'll just wait and see what comes next... in my learning and living.
Now we'll just wait and see what comes next... in my learning and living.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Autumn Beauty
On our anniversaty get-away, the love of my life and I wandered through the winding roads of Brown County State Park in Nashville, Indiana. Here is a great photo taken from the open sun roof of our car! (while we were driving! :) )
I must say the gray skies gave a vibrant pop of color to the autumn leaves. Breath takingly beautiful!
What a delightful surprise this autumn beauty has been given the hot, drought ridden summer we just survived. I just am in awe that we are one of the few creatures God made that has the eye sight and capacity to enjoy this sort of colorful beauty. Just another indication to me that some things in this world God has created to bring simple beauty and wonder!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Taking Flight
On Tuesday when the temperature was a wamr, yet brisk 60 degrees.... we released our little friends. Sad to see them go. I missed watching their antics. Did you know that their probiscus is longer than their legs? Fascinating to watch them drink through their own portable-attached-personal straw! Wonder if I can get one of those things when I am old and feeble. Hmm.
One of our little friends, we think it was Sunday, decided not to leave on Tuesday. We put him back in the habitat and released him on the following afternoon. Todd #1 and Todd #2 took flight immediately although they looked like Woodstock trying to fly away. All wobbly and what not.
It was unanimous after our final friend was sent back out into the BIG WIDE WORLD- that we want to do this again! (but in the spring when it is warmer!)
One of our little friends, we think it was Sunday, decided not to leave on Tuesday. We put him back in the habitat and released him on the following afternoon. Todd #1 and Todd #2 took flight immediately although they looked like Woodstock trying to fly away. All wobbly and what not.
It was unanimous after our final friend was sent back out into the BIG WIDE WORLD- that we want to do this again! (but in the spring when it is warmer!)
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Butterflies in the 'hood
In the middle of dinner Friday night, somebody got up from the table... wandered over to the butterfly habitat and hollered, "We have one! It is hatching!"
At that moment, Todd #1 was with us in full wing! (We named him Todd because it was Todd's birthday too!) After we came home from our celebratory desert because the first 9 week report card by our daughter was awesome, we discovered that Todd #2 had arrived. He is a wee bit smaller that #1.
The following day, Flippy joined us. She has trouble with her flying. She lands up-side down in the orange juice and gets stuck with her feet in the air. We try not to laugh, so we named her Flippy.
This morning while we were at worship and Sunday School two more butterflies busted out of their cocoons. Smelly (who seems to be most interested in how everything smells) and Sunday (because well she/he was born on a Sunday) are our two newest pets.
Because of wind gusts of 23 mph we have decided to wait another day for the official release of our little friends. That and the fact that one more cocoon remains. We are watching closely to see if our sixth friend is alright.
In the meantime we are on butterfly watch. Observing and enjoying. Laughing and commenting on these little creatures.
Mostly, I am thoroughly in awe of how my kid's imagination and wonder at God's world tickles her fancy. You should hear how she talks to her little friends! I overheard her "butterfly chatter" yesterday and welled up with emotion at how endearing and sweet she was to her "little guys". Aw. Too cute.
Anyone who is lonesome or afraid or wondering if life can begin anew.... needs to order some caterpillars and witness resurrection in person. It is life changing!
At that moment, Todd #1 was with us in full wing! (We named him Todd because it was Todd's birthday too!) After we came home from our celebratory desert because the first 9 week report card by our daughter was awesome, we discovered that Todd #2 had arrived. He is a wee bit smaller that #1.
The following day, Flippy joined us. She has trouble with her flying. She lands up-side down in the orange juice and gets stuck with her feet in the air. We try not to laugh, so we named her Flippy.
This morning while we were at worship and Sunday School two more butterflies busted out of their cocoons. Smelly (who seems to be most interested in how everything smells) and Sunday (because well she/he was born on a Sunday) are our two newest pets.
Because of wind gusts of 23 mph we have decided to wait another day for the official release of our little friends. That and the fact that one more cocoon remains. We are watching closely to see if our sixth friend is alright.
In the meantime we are on butterfly watch. Observing and enjoying. Laughing and commenting on these little creatures.
Mostly, I am thoroughly in awe of how my kid's imagination and wonder at God's world tickles her fancy. You should hear how she talks to her little friends! I overheard her "butterfly chatter" yesterday and welled up with emotion at how endearing and sweet she was to her "little guys". Aw. Too cute.
Anyone who is lonesome or afraid or wondering if life can begin anew.... needs to order some caterpillars and witness resurrection in person. It is life changing!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Gifts for the Preacher/Pastor Woman!
Throughout the years folks in my congregations have blessed me in so many ways. Sharing their lives, telling me their stories of faith and allowing me to enter into their deep pain as well as their amazing joy- name just a few of the gifts I have received.
Another way I have been blessed has been through the giving of gifts. A recent unusual gift has brought to my mind all of the gifts I have received and collected over the years. The daughter of a long time church member stopped by my office last week and brought (wrapped in a towel) the gift you see below.
Her mother, dear Beulah, made Hillary and the family wanted me to have her. (I think they are really looking to 'farm out' all of their mother's doll collection.) They were very grateful for the funeral service that I conducted for Beulah a month ago. Presiding at Beulah's service was a gift to me...
Looking at Hillary or having her look back at me with those big blue eyes... reminds me of all the other unusual gifts that have been handed to me with appreciation. Of course there are the usual gift cards and cash gifts. And I thoroughly enjoy when the kids in worship give me their art! Always nice to receive. But then there are the gifts that are as quirky as the givers! And you gotta love that!!
Here are just a few of them:
You should see the BIG smile on my face as the memories of these gifts... and their givers... and the ministry that took place which brought about the exchange of gifts goes through my mind. Wow.
I am overwhelmed with the wonder of generosity! (happy contented sigh)
Another way I have been blessed has been through the giving of gifts. A recent unusual gift has brought to my mind all of the gifts I have received and collected over the years. The daughter of a long time church member stopped by my office last week and brought (wrapped in a towel) the gift you see below.
Her mother, dear Beulah, made Hillary and the family wanted me to have her. (I think they are really looking to 'farm out' all of their mother's doll collection.) They were very grateful for the funeral service that I conducted for Beulah a month ago. Presiding at Beulah's service was a gift to me...
Looking at Hillary or having her look back at me with those big blue eyes... reminds me of all the other unusual gifts that have been handed to me with appreciation. Of course there are the usual gift cards and cash gifts. And I thoroughly enjoy when the kids in worship give me their art! Always nice to receive. But then there are the gifts that are as quirky as the givers! And you gotta love that!!
Here are just a few of them:
- Swiss army knife and jar of pickled pigs feet from a congregation in Granite Falls, NC
- purse intervention by an 'auntie' in the church raising me up!
- bottle of red wine (given after I completed a memorial service for her father)!
- large bowl of 100 daffodils from my first senior pastor as a welcome to ministry gift
- Duke Blue Devil cheerleader Barbie at my ordination as an Elder
- unusual candle holders (have gotten several of these) and thoroughly use them with gratitude
- Holy Communion cup and plate as a thank you gift (wow! it is a gift that keeps on giving)
- more angel statues than I can count, but enjoy having around me!
- John Deere baseball cap after I blessed the new John Deere tractor/lawnmower at my first congregation out of seminary when none of the other pastors would do it! ha ha!
- books... oh so many of these, but the pinnacle of those was the gift book our Staff Parish chair person gave me while I was on renewal leave. Wow- the words in there were a touch from God!
- and now little Hillary.
You should see the BIG smile on my face as the memories of these gifts... and their givers... and the ministry that took place which brought about the exchange of gifts goes through my mind. Wow.
I am overwhelmed with the wonder of generosity! (happy contented sigh)
Friday, October 5, 2012
Homespun Goodness
Wholesomeness is a fresh baked, warm pumpkin pie with a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side. Ah. The hankering for such wholesomeness crept up on me yesterday... so this afternoon with the drippy rain of a Friday the baking shall commence!
Then the thought of that brought to mind knitting. A visit to the local knit shop is on my list today to fetch some new stuff for a Christmas scarf that I want to make. Makes my toes tingle to consider a tummy full of pie with a pile of soft, fuzzy yarn in my lap.
Knitting made me think of writing which is how I ended up here on my blog. I am currently working on my Giving Journal. As that gets further along in thought I shall share it with you. Very intriguing process to consider what motivates me to give, what I am passionate about, and what my values are around giving. I am excited to see what I 'unearth' about myself in this journal writing and self-reflective process. writing to me is a very good and wholesome experience. Hmm...
And of course, writing brought to my mind, or at least lips, a cup of tea. Sigh. Now that is some homespun goodness right there!
Pie, knitting, writing and tea! Too awesome!
What is on your list of homespun goodness?
Then the thought of that brought to mind knitting. A visit to the local knit shop is on my list today to fetch some new stuff for a Christmas scarf that I want to make. Makes my toes tingle to consider a tummy full of pie with a pile of soft, fuzzy yarn in my lap.
Knitting made me think of writing which is how I ended up here on my blog. I am currently working on my Giving Journal. As that gets further along in thought I shall share it with you. Very intriguing process to consider what motivates me to give, what I am passionate about, and what my values are around giving. I am excited to see what I 'unearth' about myself in this journal writing and self-reflective process. writing to me is a very good and wholesome experience. Hmm...
And of course, writing brought to my mind, or at least lips, a cup of tea. Sigh. Now that is some homespun goodness right there!
Pie, knitting, writing and tea! Too awesome!
What is on your list of homespun goodness?
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
And Then They Were Pupas...
Our six new 'pets' are now hiding from us. They are transforming within their little changing rooms. These little guy and gal (future Painted Lady butterflies) rest in a quiet safe spot within our home.
All this science and nature stuff coupled with the gray rainy mornings we have had lately make me want to stay under my covers. There with my blankets and pillows maybe I can change into a size 8 or at least shed some of my most annoying pet peeves. Coccooning and shedding; these are the movements of autumn.
We'll let you know how the caterpillars turn out... in the mean time I shall embrace the season and all it offers for my interior life.
All this science and nature stuff coupled with the gray rainy mornings we have had lately make me want to stay under my covers. There with my blankets and pillows maybe I can change into a size 8 or at least shed some of my most annoying pet peeves. Coccooning and shedding; these are the movements of autumn.
We'll let you know how the caterpillars turn out... in the mean time I shall embrace the season and all it offers for my interior life.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Retreat Memories
Our Seaside Escape with the Calvary ladies was yet, another wonderful time of LAUGHTER, tears, quite stillness, prayer, conversation, friendship, support, singing, praying, eating, and dancing! What a joy to know so many Spirit-filled, intelligent, funny, supportive, and likeable women! I am so blessed.
The Retreat Staff shared with us the news upon our arrival that the conference center and retreat facility will close this November 30th. We were saddened by the news. Such a lovely space for retreats... and such a lovely Spirit in the space to meet and greet God. I have been blessed with over 15 years of sharing in retreats at the St. Joseph Retreat Center and Little Noddfa.
Just wanted to celebrate the memories and give God thanks for the good minstry that has happened in those spaces:
The Retreat Staff shared with us the news upon our arrival that the conference center and retreat facility will close this November 30th. We were saddened by the news. Such a lovely space for retreats... and such a lovely Spirit in the space to meet and greet God. I have been blessed with over 15 years of sharing in retreats at the St. Joseph Retreat Center and Little Noddfa.
Just wanted to celebrate the memories and give God thanks for the good minstry that has happened in those spaces:
- remember the time we used sparklers to celebrate and caught the carpet on fire?
- remember The Orpah Show and how she was visited my 3 ancient and modern mystics?
- how about the year I spent hours sweeping snow off of the labyrinth so the ladies could walk it only to be blocked by Satan's wind. grr.
- how about the time the directions were wrong and 98% of the ladies got lost in downtown Tipton?
- what about the time we didn't have enough snacks? (oh yeah, that never happened)
- or the year we had a drumming circle in the chapel and about blew the plaster off the walls?
- remember when Jeri Jaggar fell down the stairs because she refused to use the elevator?! (all ended well for that one)
- gosh, so many retreat leaders I have worked with... Cindy Torrance, Cherie McKay, Ellen Daniels-Howell, Rhonda Smith, Shirley Toth, Patti Hammerle, Sydney Powell, Katie Starks, Kendra Smith, and Holly Geddes. And musicians for retreats: Allison Camillo, Cindy Torrance, Martha Wenrick, Katie Starks, and Susan Imel. And dancers: Cheri Richard, Megan and Kristen Richard, Laura Portish, Shirley Toth, (me), and this year we added our hula dancers of Kendra, Allie, Linda and Becky!
- And a special shout out to our church matriarchs who have been able to retreat with us: Clari Bel, Laurel, Dodie, (even my mother in law) and many others before my pastoral tenure at Calvary.
- mostly- I remember how God's loving spirit met the women where they were (struggling with depression, eating disorders, unfaithful spouses, divorce, busy children, over full lives, grief of miscarriages, struggles with infertility, job loss, illness, cancer, change in income, care giving of elderly and needy parents, uncertainty, lonliness, their anger and dissappointment at Godetc.) and loved them through their lives.
- and for me too... God's gentle presence met me too in my lonliness, frustration, uncertainty, joy, gratitude, motherhood, ministry.
As we finished our closing worship in the chapel, I asked the ladies to help fulfill a 'vision of remembrance' that was in my mind. I wanted a photo of our group taken from the balcony of the chapel.
Here we are blowing our kisses of thanks and appreciation to all who have gone before on our retreats, to the wonderful ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and a kiss of welcome to all who will join us in future retreat adventures in a new and wonderful place!
Thanks for the memories!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Retreat Rhythm
Every autumn is marked by our annual women's retreat. This year is no exception. A giant growing pile of books, decorations, work materials, papers, and 'retreat stuff' line a long wall in my office as I blog. Tonight, I go home to begin packing and gathering my personal items to bring along.
I am a sucker for the seasons. Autumn, winter, spring and summer mark time in my life. Each season offers it own blessed favorites like crisp crunchy leaves, or hot chocolate, or earthly smells or hot summer days at the lake. Moreover, I am also a sucker for church seasons of advent, epiphany, lent, Easter, Pentecost, and kingdom-tide. Maybe it is the latent percussionist in me that relishes a firm, strong rhythm in life.
Somewhere in between the seasons and liturgical seasons there is a moment for women's retreat ministry. And it has it's own moment in my life and ministry rhythm. I can tell when I switch from preparing with nervousness to preparing with great expectation and joyfulness.
Retreats, themselves, if you lead many of them have their own internal rhythm and movement underneath all the busy action of sessions, meals, snack breaks, and worship. That too brings it's own joy and watchfulness.
Actually, watchfulness is a great word to describe my vantage point on retreat. Watchful of the women gathered and their needs (spiritually as well as emotionally). Watchful of my team and their amazing abilities and gifted-ness to lead and minister to other women. Watchful of the Holy Spirit weaving and moving among us... and then as we return to the fold of our larger congregation.
So, I covet your prayers this weekend as I am "watcher of twenty five Calvary women".
I am a sucker for the seasons. Autumn, winter, spring and summer mark time in my life. Each season offers it own blessed favorites like crisp crunchy leaves, or hot chocolate, or earthly smells or hot summer days at the lake. Moreover, I am also a sucker for church seasons of advent, epiphany, lent, Easter, Pentecost, and kingdom-tide. Maybe it is the latent percussionist in me that relishes a firm, strong rhythm in life.
Somewhere in between the seasons and liturgical seasons there is a moment for women's retreat ministry. And it has it's own moment in my life and ministry rhythm. I can tell when I switch from preparing with nervousness to preparing with great expectation and joyfulness.
Retreats, themselves, if you lead many of them have their own internal rhythm and movement underneath all the busy action of sessions, meals, snack breaks, and worship. That too brings it's own joy and watchfulness.
Actually, watchfulness is a great word to describe my vantage point on retreat. Watchful of the women gathered and their needs (spiritually as well as emotionally). Watchful of my team and their amazing abilities and gifted-ness to lead and minister to other women. Watchful of the Holy Spirit weaving and moving among us... and then as we return to the fold of our larger congregation.
So, I covet your prayers this weekend as I am "watcher of twenty five Calvary women".
Hello Gram!
Dear Gram,
Miss you! Especially I miss our Sunday morning hugs at church! By the way- Diana has her little red plastic busy box still.
The past year has gone slow and very, very fast. Hard to imagine that a year ago at this time you were making your final transition into God's arms. Gosh- there have been so many moments I picked up the phone to call you and share a story, a laugh or to say hi. Deleting your home phone number from my cell took me five months to do.
I know where and how you are and that truly has been a comfort. Just miss you.
You know how we are so I won't waste time on that. I need to try your yeast roll recipe this Thanksgiving and see if I can get them as light as yours. I have been using all your cards and notes! Being surrounded by your Bibles and study books on my office shelves has been like having a blanket of love!
I am trying to share and express my love for you in new and different ways. I want to live your legacy out in my living and loving. We have a scholarship for women to attend retreat every year because of your witness.
Give everyone hugs and kisses from us! Aunt Anna Lou, Rodney and Grandpa, especially!
Love you,
Michelle
Miss you! Especially I miss our Sunday morning hugs at church! By the way- Diana has her little red plastic busy box still.
The past year has gone slow and very, very fast. Hard to imagine that a year ago at this time you were making your final transition into God's arms. Gosh- there have been so many moments I picked up the phone to call you and share a story, a laugh or to say hi. Deleting your home phone number from my cell took me five months to do.
I know where and how you are and that truly has been a comfort. Just miss you.
You know how we are so I won't waste time on that. I need to try your yeast roll recipe this Thanksgiving and see if I can get them as light as yours. I have been using all your cards and notes! Being surrounded by your Bibles and study books on my office shelves has been like having a blanket of love!
I am trying to share and express my love for you in new and different ways. I want to live your legacy out in my living and loving. We have a scholarship for women to attend retreat every year because of your witness.
Give everyone hugs and kisses from us! Aunt Anna Lou, Rodney and Grandpa, especially!
Love you,
Michelle
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
A Post about Pickles the Caterpillar
An update on Pickles is worthy of a post on my blog because on the day of Diana's birthday party we released Pickles into the wood's at Calvary UMC. Be free, little friend!
We did that because he belongs in nature and my husband did not want him eating our leaves. Mostly we did that because I was the only one cleaning out his poop in the pickles jar.
Do you have any idea how much caterpillar's poop? A tremendous amount for such a little creature! Geez, I could not keep up! I do wonder if I gave him an upset tummy with all that baby spinach. Hmm...
Not to worry though, we have ordered a set of Painted Ladies butterfly cocoons. They are due to arrive any time. Hopefully, being in a cocoon will mean- no pooper scooper duty for this mom! We'll let you know more ...soon!
We did that because he belongs in nature and my husband did not want him eating our leaves. Mostly we did that because I was the only one cleaning out his poop in the pickles jar.
Do you have any idea how much caterpillar's poop? A tremendous amount for such a little creature! Geez, I could not keep up! I do wonder if I gave him an upset tummy with all that baby spinach. Hmm...
Not to worry though, we have ordered a set of Painted Ladies butterfly cocoons. They are due to arrive any time. Hopefully, being in a cocoon will mean- no pooper scooper duty for this mom! We'll let you know more ...soon!
8 on the 8th of September
A little over a week ago we celebrated a special once-in-a-lifetime birthday at our house. Our daughter turned eight on September 8, 2012.
I recall my once-in-a-lifetime birthday when I turned 13 on the 13th of May back in junior high. Either I was paying attention or it was a lot of coincidence but many things appeared by way of the number 13 around that special birthday. The number thirteen has always been my lucky number. I am mystified that so many folks experience 13 as unlucky. They're missing out, I think.
My daughter enjoys, like all kiddos, hearing about her beginnings. We laugh about how my labor and delivery room was Number 8. The doctor hollered to the nurse to write down time of birth as 12:08pm on September 8, 2004. Eight just may be my kiddo's lucky number!
Two Saturdays ago we lived it up with two parties for her special birthday! Games and giggles with her girlfriends and then family, food and fun with her grandparents! We've got stories to tell about runaway water balloons, escaped helium balloons, and a pinata that flew.
Mostly I am proud of the photo you see below. Weeks ago our daughter announced that she wanted to play her piano for the homeless people, because she thought they'd like it. We began a conversation about homeless people and poverty. And as we prepared for her birthday Diana decided she wanted to do something different. She asked her friends to bring food to the local food pantry in Avon in lieu of gifts for herself. (One mom was so inspired she told me she spent extra money than she normally did on a gift just to help others.)
A trunk full of food later... the Monday after her birthday party Diana delivered the food. The volunteers there fell over themselves about her little birthday food drive! They asked for her address. The church secretary took her picture. She was given a VIP tour of their storage facilities for all the fresh and canned food. Her eyes were big.
We got into the car and drove to her piano lesson. After about five minutes she asked, "So, Momma the people who come there to get all that food. Do they pay dollars for the food like we do?"
"No, honey. They don't because they do not have any dollars to buy the food at the store like we do."
"Oh." It was the loudest sound I heard for another fifteen minutes as all the meanings and significance of that sunk in.
She still wants to play her piano for the homeless people... and by golly, this Momma is going to get that arranged! :)
Happy Birthday, Diana darling- you are smart, beautiful and amazingly compassionate! Keep it up, sweetie!
I recall my once-in-a-lifetime birthday when I turned 13 on the 13th of May back in junior high. Either I was paying attention or it was a lot of coincidence but many things appeared by way of the number 13 around that special birthday. The number thirteen has always been my lucky number. I am mystified that so many folks experience 13 as unlucky. They're missing out, I think.
My daughter enjoys, like all kiddos, hearing about her beginnings. We laugh about how my labor and delivery room was Number 8. The doctor hollered to the nurse to write down time of birth as 12:08pm on September 8, 2004. Eight just may be my kiddo's lucky number!
Two Saturdays ago we lived it up with two parties for her special birthday! Games and giggles with her girlfriends and then family, food and fun with her grandparents! We've got stories to tell about runaway water balloons, escaped helium balloons, and a pinata that flew.
Mostly I am proud of the photo you see below. Weeks ago our daughter announced that she wanted to play her piano for the homeless people, because she thought they'd like it. We began a conversation about homeless people and poverty. And as we prepared for her birthday Diana decided she wanted to do something different. She asked her friends to bring food to the local food pantry in Avon in lieu of gifts for herself. (One mom was so inspired she told me she spent extra money than she normally did on a gift just to help others.)
A trunk full of food later... the Monday after her birthday party Diana delivered the food. The volunteers there fell over themselves about her little birthday food drive! They asked for her address. The church secretary took her picture. She was given a VIP tour of their storage facilities for all the fresh and canned food. Her eyes were big.
We got into the car and drove to her piano lesson. After about five minutes she asked, "So, Momma the people who come there to get all that food. Do they pay dollars for the food like we do?"
"No, honey. They don't because they do not have any dollars to buy the food at the store like we do."
"Oh." It was the loudest sound I heard for another fifteen minutes as all the meanings and significance of that sunk in.
She still wants to play her piano for the homeless people... and by golly, this Momma is going to get that arranged! :)
Happy Birthday, Diana darling- you are smart, beautiful and amazingly compassionate! Keep it up, sweetie!
The SWAT Team, Our Dog, and Evidence that I Am Still Growing in My Faith
You know feeling when you're heart hangs suspended in your chest, your breath catches and the bubbling sensation of panic erupts in your stomach? That feeling came over me like a tidal wave on Saturday.
In the midst of a glorious autumn day while potting my new mums, my husband calls me (early) from his test taking experience of the GMAT. I see his number and name on my phone and wonder why he is calling three hours too soon. The test cannot be finished by now.
Answering the phone, I hear him say, "Oh, hey babe... ah, my test isn't done. It is frozen because we're all out here in the parking lot."
"What?! Why?", I feebly ask.
"Oh, the SWAT team arrived and have the place surrounded because some armed crazy man has been cornered in the building and they want us out here."
My breathing stops, as my mind whirls from praying about Eric's concentration on this vital test to determine his path into graduate school to his physical safety. Lord, just bring him home alive, I pray.
Eric says, "Oh, gotta go, the team is going in." ACK! is all I think as we hang up muttering quick "I love you's".
I attempt to go about my long list of home chores which includes washing the beast of a dog (because he is itching and scratching like crazy and he stinks. He smells foul.) With my arms loaded with old towels and doggie shampoo I make my way into the backyard where the dog should be. Emphasis on the should.
Somebody left the gate open. And it wasn't me and it wasn't Eric. And now my dog (without his collar and ID tag because he was about to get a bath) is rooming the streets! Having not yet shifted out of my panic for my husband's safety, I am now in deep throttle mode of all out freak out.
I do not handle freak out well. I tend to cuss like a sailor or at least his/her preacher/chaplain. Sad to admit to my reading audience of two or three, but my poise isn't pretty at this moment. The balance has been tipped and I have reached my maximum load. My husband is with SWAT team and armed crazy man. our dog is loose on the street possibly hit by a car, lost, or picked up by someone who thinks he would be a great pet. I am in full and utter freak out mode.
I run around the house hollering for the dog and down the street calling for him.
My daughter runs out of the house barefoot with a box of doggie treats with the idea to 'leave a trail for him to follow'. Then, it dawns on her why her parents make a point of emphasizing that she needs to do what we as her to do. Like closing the gate to the backyard. As that thought illuminates in her mind, tears form and she is a repentant mess.
We climb in the car... prepared to search the neighborhood. And then fan out block by block. No sight of him. In between my cussing and panic moments, I do utter a few prayers, "Jesus, help me find my dog." My kiddo says, "Momma, we gotta think positive." And she prays while her mother cusses from the front seat.
When we swing back into the neighborhood, we stop a guest at our neighbor's house and inquire about the dog. Our neighbor has found Duke and returned him to our backyard. Hallelujah!
The dog gets washed. My cussing stops. The kid repents of her error. All is forgiven.
And we wait on my husband to return home two hours after his test should have finished. We have no idea if the armed crazy man was caught and arrested, but we do know that Eric's test score was miserably low.
Typical Saturday in September for the Knight family?! I think not.
Our bedtime prayers that night were filled with thanksgiving... and some repentance on my part for my lack of faith and my wallowing in panic. All signs that God is not finished shaping me.
In the midst of a glorious autumn day while potting my new mums, my husband calls me (early) from his test taking experience of the GMAT. I see his number and name on my phone and wonder why he is calling three hours too soon. The test cannot be finished by now.
Answering the phone, I hear him say, "Oh, hey babe... ah, my test isn't done. It is frozen because we're all out here in the parking lot."
"What?! Why?", I feebly ask.
"Oh, the SWAT team arrived and have the place surrounded because some armed crazy man has been cornered in the building and they want us out here."
My breathing stops, as my mind whirls from praying about Eric's concentration on this vital test to determine his path into graduate school to his physical safety. Lord, just bring him home alive, I pray.
Eric says, "Oh, gotta go, the team is going in." ACK! is all I think as we hang up muttering quick "I love you's".
I attempt to go about my long list of home chores which includes washing the beast of a dog (because he is itching and scratching like crazy and he stinks. He smells foul.) With my arms loaded with old towels and doggie shampoo I make my way into the backyard where the dog should be. Emphasis on the should.
Somebody left the gate open. And it wasn't me and it wasn't Eric. And now my dog (without his collar and ID tag because he was about to get a bath) is rooming the streets! Having not yet shifted out of my panic for my husband's safety, I am now in deep throttle mode of all out freak out.
I do not handle freak out well. I tend to cuss like a sailor or at least his/her preacher/chaplain. Sad to admit to my reading audience of two or three, but my poise isn't pretty at this moment. The balance has been tipped and I have reached my maximum load. My husband is with SWAT team and armed crazy man. our dog is loose on the street possibly hit by a car, lost, or picked up by someone who thinks he would be a great pet. I am in full and utter freak out mode.
I run around the house hollering for the dog and down the street calling for him.
My daughter runs out of the house barefoot with a box of doggie treats with the idea to 'leave a trail for him to follow'. Then, it dawns on her why her parents make a point of emphasizing that she needs to do what we as her to do. Like closing the gate to the backyard. As that thought illuminates in her mind, tears form and she is a repentant mess.
We climb in the car... prepared to search the neighborhood. And then fan out block by block. No sight of him. In between my cussing and panic moments, I do utter a few prayers, "Jesus, help me find my dog." My kiddo says, "Momma, we gotta think positive." And she prays while her mother cusses from the front seat.
When we swing back into the neighborhood, we stop a guest at our neighbor's house and inquire about the dog. Our neighbor has found Duke and returned him to our backyard. Hallelujah!
The dog gets washed. My cussing stops. The kid repents of her error. All is forgiven.
And we wait on my husband to return home two hours after his test should have finished. We have no idea if the armed crazy man was caught and arrested, but we do know that Eric's test score was miserably low.
Typical Saturday in September for the Knight family?! I think not.
Our bedtime prayers that night were filled with thanksgiving... and some repentance on my part for my lack of faith and my wallowing in panic. All signs that God is not finished shaping me.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Pickles, Our New Pet
Behold, the perfect pet has arrived....the small creature only eats, grows and poops. And sometime soon it will entertain us with it's metamorphosis life cycle. After completely changing out of it's current form, our Pickles will fly away from us... never to be seen again. A perfect pet! No vet bills.
No shedding of fur, no eating of green tomatoes or Barbie shoes. No scratching. No seizures at 2am. No rock swallowing and then vomiting of said rocks at 4am. No sniffing of your bottom while doing weird yoga positions. No drooling by the grill.
Just the quiet eating of leaves and crawling around in pickle jars... here she/he is, our new pet, Pickles the Brown Caterpillar who one day soon will become a Brown Moth.
No shedding of fur, no eating of green tomatoes or Barbie shoes. No scratching. No seizures at 2am. No rock swallowing and then vomiting of said rocks at 4am. No sniffing of your bottom while doing weird yoga positions. No drooling by the grill.
Just the quiet eating of leaves and crawling around in pickle jars... here she/he is, our new pet, Pickles the Brown Caterpillar who one day soon will become a Brown Moth.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Leadership We All Crave
Every where I look around church or our community, or read on internet news websites, or witness in my own home... reveals the great need in our world for solid, visionary, and trustworthy leadership. The need for leadership is everywhere.
During my reading this Labor Day weekend, I read this, " organizations decry the absence of quality leaders who can infuse energy and provide creative direction in a highly competitive environment, and efforts to address the need are mushrooming across the institutional landscape." Schools need leaders. Teams need leaders. Businesses need leaders. Families need leaders. The Church needs leaders!
Even my mutant of a dog needs leadership... someone needs to tell him NOT to eat green tomatoes, to stop itching, and to refrain from laying on my daughter's purple bean bag where clumps of his fur remain for days.
Our Bishop it seems is fully aware of the need for quality leaders in church and is attempting to grow great leaders in his new Bishop's Leadership Academy for Clergy Excellence. You are looking at a newly nominated guinea pig for this experimental group. We'll see what the next nine months of mutual mentoring, retreats, preaching workshops, conversations, and small groups will bring in regards to developing leadership skills among the United Methodist clergy of Indiana. As I live and breath, I am sure I'll write about it... and you'll be in on the scoop.
I was reminded this weekend while reading Grace to Lead: Practicing Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition by Kenneth Carder and Laceye Warner (which is where the above quote came from) that visionary, God-graced leaders are those folks who allow the call of their baptism to continually renew and reshape them. Being folks who embrace Wesleyan theology it boils down to the sanctification work of the Holy Spirit to continually shape and develop a person into leaders God has intended him/her to be. We are formed into leaders in other words, not just by our right Orthodox beliefs and theology, but also by the formative process of living out our faith through the various spiritual disciplines.
Hmmm... solid theology AND vibrant practical living. Yes, when I think of great leaders that I know and want to be like "when I grow up", they too live out this Wesleyan way of leading. The leadership we all crave is leadership that is lived out of a relationship with our Living God in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
Even my dog can appreciate that! Well, maybe.
During my reading this Labor Day weekend, I read this, " organizations decry the absence of quality leaders who can infuse energy and provide creative direction in a highly competitive environment, and efforts to address the need are mushrooming across the institutional landscape." Schools need leaders. Teams need leaders. Businesses need leaders. Families need leaders. The Church needs leaders!
Even my mutant of a dog needs leadership... someone needs to tell him NOT to eat green tomatoes, to stop itching, and to refrain from laying on my daughter's purple bean bag where clumps of his fur remain for days.
Our Bishop it seems is fully aware of the need for quality leaders in church and is attempting to grow great leaders in his new Bishop's Leadership Academy for Clergy Excellence. You are looking at a newly nominated guinea pig for this experimental group. We'll see what the next nine months of mutual mentoring, retreats, preaching workshops, conversations, and small groups will bring in regards to developing leadership skills among the United Methodist clergy of Indiana. As I live and breath, I am sure I'll write about it... and you'll be in on the scoop.
I was reminded this weekend while reading Grace to Lead: Practicing Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition by Kenneth Carder and Laceye Warner (which is where the above quote came from) that visionary, God-graced leaders are those folks who allow the call of their baptism to continually renew and reshape them. Being folks who embrace Wesleyan theology it boils down to the sanctification work of the Holy Spirit to continually shape and develop a person into leaders God has intended him/her to be. We are formed into leaders in other words, not just by our right Orthodox beliefs and theology, but also by the formative process of living out our faith through the various spiritual disciplines.
Hmmm... solid theology AND vibrant practical living. Yes, when I think of great leaders that I know and want to be like "when I grow up", they too live out this Wesleyan way of leading. The leadership we all crave is leadership that is lived out of a relationship with our Living God in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
Even my dog can appreciate that! Well, maybe.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Summer Reading... turns into autumn reading
At the end of July our local library finished their summer reading program... and I accomplished a record number of pages read. Many of them were mystery and romance novels. It had been a long time since I read so much fiction! Very fun for me!
I am always looking for another book recommendation from a friend or colleague. I include a few good titles from my summer reading for your faith and/or ministry.
I am always looking for another book recommendation from a friend or colleague. I include a few good titles from my summer reading for your faith and/or ministry.
- God Girl: Becoming the woman you're meant to be Hayley DiMarco
- Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
- Stones of Remembrance by Lois Evans and Jane Rubietta
- Raising the Roof by Alice Mann
- Size Transitions by Beth Ann Gaede
Behind my desk is another stack of books waiting to be read! As my husband begins his graduate classes tonight, I have newly designated my Tuesday evenings as "reading night". So, here it goes again!
Sharing a good book is sharing a friend! So, let me know what you're reading!
August 2012's Brown Bag Series
Once a year or so I become brave and take a calculated risk.
August has been one of those months. Members of the congregation brought me an item from their home which must be Rated G for general viewing audiences. Wrapped in a brown bag the item is brought forward in the sanctuary during our children's message which I typically do because our senior pastor is the primary preacher. When I preach he takes over the children's message for the morning... unless it is Brown Bag month. Then, on the fly (and in front of the entire congregation) I have to come up with a message about how this item teaches us or reminds about God, our faith or living as faithful people in the world.
Sounds easy, doesn't it?! But you have no idea the amount of butterflies that appear in my stomach during the doxology which precedes the children's sermon every week. Egads!?
I have no idea where or how I got the brown bag children's sermon idea... and I must be crazy to torture myself with it. But the kids and congregation LOVE it.
Singles, grandparent age couples, families with teens and families with kids in every level of school... brought me their brown bags this month. If you missed the fun here's a list of the items:
August has been one of those months. Members of the congregation brought me an item from their home which must be Rated G for general viewing audiences. Wrapped in a brown bag the item is brought forward in the sanctuary during our children's message which I typically do because our senior pastor is the primary preacher. When I preach he takes over the children's message for the morning... unless it is Brown Bag month. Then, on the fly (and in front of the entire congregation) I have to come up with a message about how this item teaches us or reminds about God, our faith or living as faithful people in the world.
Sounds easy, doesn't it?! But you have no idea the amount of butterflies that appear in my stomach during the doxology which precedes the children's sermon every week. Egads!?
I have no idea where or how I got the brown bag children's sermon idea... and I must be crazy to torture myself with it. But the kids and congregation LOVE it.
Singles, grandparent age couples, families with teens and families with kids in every level of school... brought me their brown bags this month. If you missed the fun here's a list of the items:
- dream catcher- talked about how God often speaks to us through our dreams and related several bible stories. Thanks Dan!
- toothpaste- spoke about how God wants to protect us from harm and things that would destroy us like toothpaste works to prevent cavities. Thanks Bill and Raki!
- empty bag- related the story of the empty tomb and how empty things like the tomb are full of meaning and importance for our faith. Thanks Blake, Stephanie, Tom, Nathan and Brynn!
- dice- shared the story of the soldiers who gambled (i.e. rolled dice or lots) to see who would get Jesus clothing after his death. During that experience of suffering, mocking, 'deadly bullying' Jesus remained firm in his faith and shows us how to move through life experiences when we suffer and are bullied. Thanks Nathan, Stacie, Tim and Jon!
To all the families who participated- thank you! I am sure you wanted to stump me or come up with something different. And you have!
What has been the most fun is talking with teens and adults afterwards about all the OTHER ideas or ways I could have gone with the brown bag item... makes us all of us learn how to think theologically... and maybe just maybe that has been my point all along! *wink*
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Denied
Every year I send a handful of devotions to the Upperroom for publication in their daily devotional. I always send them when I need to work on humility. Because every time I send a devotion... it is denied! Working through rejection is a great exercise in fostering humility!
A year after I sent this devotion into Upperroom, I re-read their guidelines and learned that devotions about pets are a big NO NO! The little devotional is translated and published in numerous languages for cultures outside the US. And pets are not held in the same esteem in other parts of the world as they are in the States. (Wish I had known that at the time I submitted the darn thing. sigh.)
Thus, since this will never appear elsewhere... I share with you one of my 'rejects'.
A year after I sent this devotion into Upperroom, I re-read their guidelines and learned that devotions about pets are a big NO NO! The little devotional is translated and published in numerous languages for cultures outside the US. And pets are not held in the same esteem in other parts of the world as they are in the States. (Wish I had known that at the time I submitted the darn thing. sigh.)
Thus, since this will never appear elsewhere... I share with you one of my 'rejects'.
Title: What Dog Obedience Can Teach
Us
Suggested Scripture reading: I John
5:2-5
Quoted verse: “By this we know that
we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments”(I John
5:2).
I learned more this past summer in
my dog’s obedience class than my dog did.
He barely passed the class. What
I learned helped me train my new puppy, but it also taught me something about
our relationship with our Creator God.
Dogs naturally want to please their
caregivers/masters. Lovingly firm,
consistent, and clear commands rather than punishment or bribery enable dogs
even silly wiggly puppies to respond consistently and positively. This helps the pup trust their owner. And the greater trust the puppy experiences
in their owner the more likely the dog will want to succeed at everything the
owner asks. Then the saying is true: Dog
is man or woman’s best friend.
Our God is lovingly firm with
us. God is always consistent in the
expectations of our behavior and personal character. God is very clear about the redeemed life
looks like in action and attitude. Because
God’s character is such, we can have great confidence and trust in God and
therefore grow in our desire to be obedient.
Prayer:
Dear God, you honor me with choice,
help me to honor you by choosing obedience to your word and will. Amen.
Thought for the Day:
Trust and obedience to God brings
joy.
Prayer Focus:
People and their pets
Blog that shouldn't
Last week a considerable amount of time was spent writing a series of three blogs. They were posted on my blog site for about 5 hours and then I deleted them. Very interesting process that I have not done before.... to write three blogs and then delete them from the internet (of course, I am sure something of them remains on some forgotten computer somewhere...).
I knew their content was controversial... and would stir up my three readers. but mostly, after I walked away from posting them (during that five hour window they were 'live') the realization dawned on me that i wrote them too early. The thinking process was incomplete. Too raw. Too underdeveloped. My thought patterns need to mature and my logic needs to line up.
So, I shall continue thinking and mulling. Maybe sometime soon my thoughts will congeal to the point I shall attempt to share them again with the world. Or at least to the three of you reading this.
Until then- here's to the blogs that should not have been- yet!
I knew their content was controversial... and would stir up my three readers. but mostly, after I walked away from posting them (during that five hour window they were 'live') the realization dawned on me that i wrote them too early. The thinking process was incomplete. Too raw. Too underdeveloped. My thought patterns need to mature and my logic needs to line up.
So, I shall continue thinking and mulling. Maybe sometime soon my thoughts will congeal to the point I shall attempt to share them again with the world. Or at least to the three of you reading this.
Until then- here's to the blogs that should not have been- yet!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Signs You Live With a PK
I did not become a PK or preacher's kid until my college years so I only have a life experience from then until now. My daughter however has only known life as a PK. Frankly, I am not even sure she knows what that means.
There is a staggering amount of evidence that being the daughter of a preacher has impacted her life though. Here are a few examples.
She is the only kid on our block who "breaks" her bread sticks, sandwiches, and/or garlic bread by holding it up in the air... brief pause...(as if saying the Words of Institution for the Lord's Supper) and then dramatically breaks the bread showing everyone around the table her bread is now broken. Enacting Holy Communion at the supper or lunch table is truly a sign of being a preacher's kid.
My daughter is the only child on her bus who carries her purple picture Bible with her. She decided recently that she needed to do some reading on the bus. I suggested she choose a book from her shelf. Immediately she flew into her room and grabbed (then hugged) her purple Bible to her chest. I really had nothing to do with it.
Yes, it was my child who announced to her fellow preschool students at our church's preschool one day when she was four years old, "My Momma runs this place. (whispering) She has a key to every room!"
Last weekend while I did a seven hour stint of scrap booking mania (I am almost caught up). I set my daughter up with her own crafting table: glue, glitter, tape, markers, paper, etc. After creating a wild variety of tactile art pictures, she created a building. Actually, she built a church. Mind you, this was not prompted by me because I was buried under piles of photos and mementos for her scrapbooks.
Diana's church building only had three rooms. As she gave me the grand tour, the theologian in me puffed up with pride at her Trinitarian approach to church construction. My moment of pride was quickly dashed when she announced, "And this room is for Sunday School. See the picture of the rainbow and Noah? And this room is for all that singing and talking (i.e. worship)."
"Diana, what is in this third room?"
"Oh, Momma (eyes big and touches my arm gently as if to emphasize the significance of her next words), this is the Donut Room."
Really?! Seriously?! The take-away my kid gets from being a PK is that every church needs a donut room?
There is a staggering amount of evidence that being the daughter of a preacher has impacted her life though. Here are a few examples.
She is the only kid on our block who "breaks" her bread sticks, sandwiches, and/or garlic bread by holding it up in the air... brief pause...(as if saying the Words of Institution for the Lord's Supper) and then dramatically breaks the bread showing everyone around the table her bread is now broken. Enacting Holy Communion at the supper or lunch table is truly a sign of being a preacher's kid.
My daughter is the only child on her bus who carries her purple picture Bible with her. She decided recently that she needed to do some reading on the bus. I suggested she choose a book from her shelf. Immediately she flew into her room and grabbed (then hugged) her purple Bible to her chest. I really had nothing to do with it.
Yes, it was my child who announced to her fellow preschool students at our church's preschool one day when she was four years old, "My Momma runs this place. (whispering) She has a key to every room!"
Last weekend while I did a seven hour stint of scrap booking mania (I am almost caught up). I set my daughter up with her own crafting table: glue, glitter, tape, markers, paper, etc. After creating a wild variety of tactile art pictures, she created a building. Actually, she built a church. Mind you, this was not prompted by me because I was buried under piles of photos and mementos for her scrapbooks.
Diana's church building only had three rooms. As she gave me the grand tour, the theologian in me puffed up with pride at her Trinitarian approach to church construction. My moment of pride was quickly dashed when she announced, "And this room is for Sunday School. See the picture of the rainbow and Noah? And this room is for all that singing and talking (i.e. worship)."
"Diana, what is in this third room?"
"Oh, Momma (eyes big and touches my arm gently as if to emphasize the significance of her next words), this is the Donut Room."
Really?! Seriously?! The take-away my kid gets from being a PK is that every church needs a donut room?
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Summer's Lessons
During the short eight weeks we had a 'summer break' at my house, several lessons were learned without the benefit of a classroom other than what life provided. My garden may not have grown... but I think I have.
Because there is not a report card at this end of this 'grading period", I thought I'd muse around with a written note of lessons learned. You can decide how these lessons may apply to your journey.
Because there is not a report card at this end of this 'grading period", I thought I'd muse around with a written note of lessons learned. You can decide how these lessons may apply to your journey.
- All life requires water.
- Droughts manifest themselves in many different ways.
- Ministry is more fun when it is shared.
- Praying for and loving others through an active prayer life is AWESOME.
- Even God's Spirit can surprise you.
- Saying goodbye to good friends as well as old yucky attitudes challenges.
- You can fall in love with God and your spouse over and over again (and it gets more rewarding and enriching each time).
- Moms with metronomes are not appreciated until much, much later in life.
What have you been learning this summer?
Monday, July 30, 2012
Pathetic Garden of 2012
Oh, how sad it is to see our garden this year.
First of all we were late planting. And then something dreadful (like a hungry bunny or two) got into our seeds. So, only one lettuce plant and one carrot came up.
Record temps, record number of days over 90, and record drought have combined to make this garden sad... You can see in the photo below that only my daughter looks healthy and vital.
The corn isn't even as tall as my girl. The green beans made maybe a dozen green beans and our tomatoes are not very good. We've never had such a short sunflower. sigh. It has been a very tough summer on our plants...
After I took this photo, my crusty yard gave me a splinter in my foot! It is that bone dry. Ouch!
First of all we were late planting. And then something dreadful (like a hungry bunny or two) got into our seeds. So, only one lettuce plant and one carrot came up.
Record temps, record number of days over 90, and record drought have combined to make this garden sad... You can see in the photo below that only my daughter looks healthy and vital.
The corn isn't even as tall as my girl. The green beans made maybe a dozen green beans and our tomatoes are not very good. We've never had such a short sunflower. sigh. It has been a very tough summer on our plants...
After I took this photo, my crusty yard gave me a splinter in my foot! It is that bone dry. Ouch!
Summer Reading- Finished
Bam- we did it! Both my daughter and I met our summer reading goals!
She completed two reading programs... finishing 70 books on her OWN! That is a big deal for my girl who'd prefer to play or watch a show than read.
And I did a new record of 5,095 pages this summer. Woo hoo! (My family has only seen the top of my nose buried in a book all summer.) The Bonhoeffer biography truly tipped the balance on numbers. It has been a decade or longer since I indulged in such a massive amount of fiction reading... You will be pleased to know that every murder suspect was caught and every guy got his girl! ha ha! What fun!
Sigh. Now onto some autumn goals!
She completed two reading programs... finishing 70 books on her OWN! That is a big deal for my girl who'd prefer to play or watch a show than read.
And I did a new record of 5,095 pages this summer. Woo hoo! (My family has only seen the top of my nose buried in a book all summer.) The Bonhoeffer biography truly tipped the balance on numbers. It has been a decade or longer since I indulged in such a massive amount of fiction reading... You will be pleased to know that every murder suspect was caught and every guy got his girl! ha ha! What fun!
Sigh. Now onto some autumn goals!
House Remodel 2
With our clean slate... it has been time to make some decisions on interior decor. Each of us had our ideas... and a limited budget so off we went to the local home improvement store that has everything (even for doll houses!)
I must say, once we told the folks in the paint department that we need paint samples, contact paper (i.e. wall paper) for a dollhouse- they were overjoyed with excitement about our project too! Even the dudes got into the act suggesting smaller paint containers, and small print contact paper for proper size dimension. What a hoot!
With our supplies bundled into our arms... we brought home our goodies... let the remodel begin!
As you can see our daughter is finishing the exterior painting. After removing the wallpaper we needed to clean up the walls... so must of the interior had a coat of white paint applied.
Since this photo, I am pleased to say we survived wall-papering the attic (who knew my marriage could survive wallpapering?!) and the master bedroom. The kitchen and living room remain unfinished along with all of the flooring. (You should have seen us at the home improvement store picking out laminate floor tiles!)
As I promised the staff at Lowe's you'll see a finished photo soon! A focus wall in the living room is currently drying from a second coat of red paint that we applied this morning.
Move in date is yet to be determined... :)
I must say, once we told the folks in the paint department that we need paint samples, contact paper (i.e. wall paper) for a dollhouse- they were overjoyed with excitement about our project too! Even the dudes got into the act suggesting smaller paint containers, and small print contact paper for proper size dimension. What a hoot!
With our supplies bundled into our arms... we brought home our goodies... let the remodel begin!
Since this photo, I am pleased to say we survived wall-papering the attic (who knew my marriage could survive wallpapering?!) and the master bedroom. The kitchen and living room remain unfinished along with all of the flooring. (You should have seen us at the home improvement store picking out laminate floor tiles!)
As I promised the staff at Lowe's you'll see a finished photo soon! A focus wall in the living room is currently drying from a second coat of red paint that we applied this morning.
Move in date is yet to be determined... :)
House Remodel
My little family has recently become addicted to HGTV... watching hours of home, bath and even kitchen remodels and makeovers. Throughout the summer we watched closely the competition for HGTV's new Design Star (which finally was revealed last week!)
Of course, with all the beautiful ideas and suggestions streaming from our television at all hours of the day... our family enthusiastically decided to conquer a home remodel project! We've been hooked!
Mind you we are starting rather small.... with my circa 1981 dollhouse:
As you can see... this house 'should' be condemned after residing the past couple of decades in my grandmother's attic! (By the way, my grandfather built the house, my grandmother did the interior decor and my father did the electrical.)
Instead, we just gutted it. After we cleaned out the dead bugs. Flooring, wallpaper, and all electrical have been removed.
Now we've got a clean slate to start our project:
And the house even smells better already too! Nothing like family home improvement projects to keep you cool during the hot steamy summer days!
Of course, with all the beautiful ideas and suggestions streaming from our television at all hours of the day... our family enthusiastically decided to conquer a home remodel project! We've been hooked!
Mind you we are starting rather small.... with my circa 1981 dollhouse:
Instead, we just gutted it. After we cleaned out the dead bugs. Flooring, wallpaper, and all electrical have been removed.
Now we've got a clean slate to start our project:
And the house even smells better already too! Nothing like family home improvement projects to keep you cool during the hot steamy summer days!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
No Time to Write!
Geez... where has the month gone? My blog writing reflects the summer drought we've had. Dried. Barren. Wasteland.
Actually, I have been busy in other ways...wrote a three part sermon series and got to deliver it. Yay! Haven't done that in 10 years or so. Very cool and very challenging. Stretched me.
Since July 4th ministry has kept me busy:
I'll make up for it... wait and see. I've got lots more to blog about... like the remodel of my 30 year old dollhouse for my daughter, the pathetic garden of 2012, and how to help your spouse get ready for school.
Yes, there is plenty in my life to "mine" for blogging material... and now is the time to get that writing finished!
Actually, I have been busy in other ways...wrote a three part sermon series and got to deliver it. Yay! Haven't done that in 10 years or so. Very cool and very challenging. Stretched me.
Since July 4th ministry has kept me busy:
- two mission trips (Belize and Mountain Top) and all the prayer partners, commissioning(s), send offs, and return stories
- two funerals (on the same day by the way) I got a chuckle that both ladies were avid basketball fans.
- one staff farewell reception (boo hoo- we'll miss you Alison!)
- three performances of Fiddler on the Roof by our own TFC!
- three weekends of worship that were so packed and full of testimonies, baptisms, commissionings and the 'usual' worship stuff
I'll make up for it... wait and see. I've got lots more to blog about... like the remodel of my 30 year old dollhouse for my daughter, the pathetic garden of 2012, and how to help your spouse get ready for school.
Yes, there is plenty in my life to "mine" for blogging material... and now is the time to get that writing finished!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Convertible Rides
Convertible rides like the car are very versatile. A ride after a tough day at church, say like doing two funerals in a day or multi-tasking because you are needed to put out 'fires' of the people-sort, really changes your mood. With the top down and the wind blowing in your hair you no longer hear anything but the sounds of the world around you. Blocks out all else. And keeps you in the moment.
Or a ride on a Sunday afternoon with your daughter and her friend to go get frozen yogurt completely refreshes you as the backseat is filled with giggling girls, ponytails, and 'Wheeeeee, go faster Mr. Eric!' Such playfulness, pure joy, and fun!
Or there are rides for just my hubby and I... cruising in the sunset toward a date night. Leaving behind the dog who eats everything, the kid who refuses to count during her piano lessons, and the house filled with un-finished home improvement projects... driving our red Mustang with the top down pushes all that stuff to the perimeter of your view... leaving the open road- full of possibilities, hope, promise, and some good ol' fashioned adult time.
Sigh.
Our red Mustang convertible may have been our most expensive spontaneous, emotion-driven purchase to date... but I have decided it beats filing insurance claims for therapy! Certainly is more versatile than a shrink.
Or a ride on a Sunday afternoon with your daughter and her friend to go get frozen yogurt completely refreshes you as the backseat is filled with giggling girls, ponytails, and 'Wheeeeee, go faster Mr. Eric!' Such playfulness, pure joy, and fun!
Or there are rides for just my hubby and I... cruising in the sunset toward a date night. Leaving behind the dog who eats everything, the kid who refuses to count during her piano lessons, and the house filled with un-finished home improvement projects... driving our red Mustang with the top down pushes all that stuff to the perimeter of your view... leaving the open road- full of possibilities, hope, promise, and some good ol' fashioned adult time.
Sigh.
Our red Mustang convertible may have been our most expensive spontaneous, emotion-driven purchase to date... but I have decided it beats filing insurance claims for therapy! Certainly is more versatile than a shrink.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Summer Rant!
Our hot, drought ridden summer has not been a great one for time in the hammock. In fact we've had no hammock time this year. Our grass is so dead that it tries to leave splinters in your bare feet.
Diana's pitiful garden (in spite of our watering) is so pathetic and sad that the critters are not even eating it. Our corn with it's tassels are knee high. We've got one ripened tomato that a worm attempted to eat but gave up for lack of juiciness. I thought I spied one lone green bean. Sad.
We're tried the local pools, but the water there is so warm it's like taking a bath in a oven. Not exactly refreshing. We tried the Zoo, but too hot. We went to the Children's Museum last week and it was packed with all the other families who were avoiding the heat.
The only thing this summer has been good for is reading. And have I ever been cranking out the books! I have long pasted my reading goal from last summer and am into competition for the Nook at our local library. Woo hoo! I am pushing 3,000 pages plus at the rate I am going. (Reading this much 'leisure/pleasure' book material along with lots of other work-related texts- is a true treat for me.)
I refuse to buy school supplies for another week or so. Maybe it will be cool enough we can try the Indpls Zoo, again and see the new baby elephant. Maybe.
Diana's pitiful garden (in spite of our watering) is so pathetic and sad that the critters are not even eating it. Our corn with it's tassels are knee high. We've got one ripened tomato that a worm attempted to eat but gave up for lack of juiciness. I thought I spied one lone green bean. Sad.
We're tried the local pools, but the water there is so warm it's like taking a bath in a oven. Not exactly refreshing. We tried the Zoo, but too hot. We went to the Children's Museum last week and it was packed with all the other families who were avoiding the heat.
The only thing this summer has been good for is reading. And have I ever been cranking out the books! I have long pasted my reading goal from last summer and am into competition for the Nook at our local library. Woo hoo! I am pushing 3,000 pages plus at the rate I am going. (Reading this much 'leisure/pleasure' book material along with lots of other work-related texts- is a true treat for me.)
I refuse to buy school supplies for another week or so. Maybe it will be cool enough we can try the Indpls Zoo, again and see the new baby elephant. Maybe.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Unplugged
On the second day a weird itchy twitch developed. By the fifth day the twitch was replaced with this foggy sense of being an island unto myself- I was bereft.
Unplugged. Off the grid.
My desire to abstain from technology like email, cell phones, blogs, and the hardest one of all: Facebook began to take its toll.
The harsh reality of my addiction to constantly being fed information overwhelmed me. I had no idea I had 'it' that bad until I left it all behind.
By the eighth day I was cured because I did not want to go near the computer at all. The twitch was gone. In its place was this quiet contentment I have not had in a while. Maybe that's why it has taken me this long to blog. Just did not want to disturb the re-discovered peace.
Now, how do I keep that? Or find another way to live amongst the 'noise'? That is the best question... yet to be answered....
Unplugged. Off the grid.
My desire to abstain from technology like email, cell phones, blogs, and the hardest one of all: Facebook began to take its toll.
The harsh reality of my addiction to constantly being fed information overwhelmed me. I had no idea I had 'it' that bad until I left it all behind.
By the eighth day I was cured because I did not want to go near the computer at all. The twitch was gone. In its place was this quiet contentment I have not had in a while. Maybe that's why it has taken me this long to blog. Just did not want to disturb the re-discovered peace.
Now, how do I keep that? Or find another way to live amongst the 'noise'? That is the best question... yet to be answered....
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Vacation- get here faster!
Leaving tomorrow! Whoopee!
Ever so glad to get out the suitcases, hold the mail, load up (the now healthy) dog!
I look at my weary-worn husband and know that I gotta get him out of town before he collapses!
Put my kid in a swim suit and take her out of the water long enough to bath her and put her back in the water... that is the joy of the lake vacation.
Trees. Stillness. Water. And relaxation...reading, grilling out, fishing, playing board games, sleeping in late...
The quiet life for a few days... sounds wonderful. Then after we are rested, we shall go to the waterpark for several days and get more water and more sun!
See you in a week or so!
Ever so glad to get out the suitcases, hold the mail, load up (the now healthy) dog!
I look at my weary-worn husband and know that I gotta get him out of town before he collapses!
Put my kid in a swim suit and take her out of the water long enough to bath her and put her back in the water... that is the joy of the lake vacation.
Trees. Stillness. Water. And relaxation...reading, grilling out, fishing, playing board games, sleeping in late...
The quiet life for a few days... sounds wonderful. Then after we are rested, we shall go to the waterpark for several days and get more water and more sun!
See you in a week or so!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Being the Sandwich
Picnics are the best time to enjoy the art of the sandwich. But when life is not a picnic... you become the sandwich. Or you become the sandwich when you are in the position of caring for young children while assisting elderly or frail or ill parents. The sandwich of care-giving the generation older than you while also care-giving for the generation younger than you.
Sometime last week the awareness came on me like Miracle Whip slapped onto some whole wheat bread- "I am officially in the sandwich." I was not surprised... just feeling stupid that I had not yet realized this sooner. I guess I thought the sandwich only happened with you got older not at forty-one years old.
My daughter is in grade school (bread side #1). My mother in law is fighting brain cancer and very ill (bread side #2); my mother is leaving full time work to go on permanent disability leave because of her health (bread side #3); and my father is becoming more and more limited in his physical mobility [and he'll have more needs very, very soon] (bread side #4).
Maybe this isn't just a regular sandwich, but an ol' fashioned Dagwood sandwich. Remember those from the cartoons pages?!?! That had bread layer then more good stuff, then bread again and more good stuff.
I am in a layered sandwich.
No wonder my life is crowded and feels heavy at times.
But I am hoping and praying that if the sandwich is where I am- then God will meet me in it. God's better at navigating through families and layers of generations than anyone else I know.
Sometime last week the awareness came on me like Miracle Whip slapped onto some whole wheat bread- "I am officially in the sandwich." I was not surprised... just feeling stupid that I had not yet realized this sooner. I guess I thought the sandwich only happened with you got older not at forty-one years old.
My daughter is in grade school (bread side #1). My mother in law is fighting brain cancer and very ill (bread side #2); my mother is leaving full time work to go on permanent disability leave because of her health (bread side #3); and my father is becoming more and more limited in his physical mobility [and he'll have more needs very, very soon] (bread side #4).
Maybe this isn't just a regular sandwich, but an ol' fashioned Dagwood sandwich. Remember those from the cartoons pages?!?! That had bread layer then more good stuff, then bread again and more good stuff.
I am in a layered sandwich.
No wonder my life is crowded and feels heavy at times.
But I am hoping and praying that if the sandwich is where I am- then God will meet me in it. God's better at navigating through families and layers of generations than anyone else I know.
Monday, June 18, 2012
How My Dog Spoiled Father's Day
Even though the weather was hot and dry, all the fixin's for steaks on the grill, corn on the cob and fresh cool watermelon were ready. It was going to be an awesome Father's Day Feast...
...then there came a moment in which the DOG, our Duke, trumped all the festivities with his smelly, guishy bodily fluids.
It was an ugly moment at the dining room table when vomit and diarrhea flowed with stronger force than the iced tea. Our steaks no longer looked tasty. The watermelon was left alone to warm on it's own. And who can eat desert with all the noise of puking dog in the background?! (it drowned out the US Open coverage).
Sigh.
And then after it was all cleaned up.
He did it again.
(If he is not better by Thursday, this labrador has the potential to ruin not just a holiday function but our entire vacation plans. As no kennel will board him with a temperature and upset tummy.)
As my brave husband wiped up the vomit... a realization dawned on all of us. Duke had eaten the red ribbons our daughter used to decorate her daddy's Father's Day gift.
Dumb dog. That is how my dog who-will-eat-anything-laying around spoiled Father's Day.
...then there came a moment in which the DOG, our Duke, trumped all the festivities with his smelly, guishy bodily fluids.
It was an ugly moment at the dining room table when vomit and diarrhea flowed with stronger force than the iced tea. Our steaks no longer looked tasty. The watermelon was left alone to warm on it's own. And who can eat desert with all the noise of puking dog in the background?! (it drowned out the US Open coverage).
Sigh.
And then after it was all cleaned up.
He did it again.
(If he is not better by Thursday, this labrador has the potential to ruin not just a holiday function but our entire vacation plans. As no kennel will board him with a temperature and upset tummy.)
As my brave husband wiped up the vomit... a realization dawned on all of us. Duke had eaten the red ribbons our daughter used to decorate her daddy's Father's Day gift.
Dumb dog. That is how my dog who-will-eat-anything-laying around spoiled Father's Day.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
What is not to love about VBS?
Really, what is not to enjoy about Vacation Bible School?!
Seriously, what is not to love.
It is only day three and I'm gonna miss it...
First off, the snacks are 'the bomb'! Donuts, chocolate pudding, popsicles.
Secondly, telling kids about Jesus is the coolest way to spend your summer.
Third, you get to dance, sing, laugh, and play like the kids do and you're not out of place. You fit right in.
It is only day three and I'm gonna miss it...
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Musings on Annual Conference
That time of year has come around again for United Methodists to gather from across the state. Some things will be the same; lots of talking and reminiscing; terrific worship; and lots of church business to conduct. Mostly the same sorts of people ...only a little older, plumper in the middle, and with more experience.
Other things will be different like newly ordained folks, and new retirees. Our location is new this year as we will gather in Indianapolis at the Convention Center for the first time. (In between the Republican Convention and the Gay Pride Parade- what an oddity we add to that mix!!)
Not sure what to expect or how to mesasure what a successful conference would be. Only I hope to ...1) make connections with lots of old friends 2) make some new friends and 3) in the midst listen for how God is moving among and within and (often in spite of) Hoosier United Methodists!
Pray for us! As we pray to accomplish what Christ has in mind for His church.
Other things will be different like newly ordained folks, and new retirees. Our location is new this year as we will gather in Indianapolis at the Convention Center for the first time. (In between the Republican Convention and the Gay Pride Parade- what an oddity we add to that mix!!)
Not sure what to expect or how to mesasure what a successful conference would be. Only I hope to ...1) make connections with lots of old friends 2) make some new friends and 3) in the midst listen for how God is moving among and within and (often in spite of) Hoosier United Methodists!
Pray for us! As we pray to accomplish what Christ has in mind for His church.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Summer Reading!
Well, it is that time again... summer! Woo Hoo! (Although it will be two weeks shorter this year as we adjust to a balanced calendar year).
Anyway, I've got the family signed up for Summer Reading! Four programs this year! And the kiddo has been challenged to read an entire chapter book in one day... if she does, we are going to get some chocolate shakes!
So, happy reading... now gotta go hang the hammock.
Anyway, I've got the family signed up for Summer Reading! Four programs this year! And the kiddo has been challenged to read an entire chapter book in one day... if she does, we are going to get some chocolate shakes!
So, happy reading... now gotta go hang the hammock.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Transitions
Earlier this month my birthday and Mother's Day fell on the same day (it happens often since I was born so early in the month of May). Because this was my mother's first Mother's Day without her momma, my Gram, I thought it would nice if we could be together for the day. Instead of our usual four generations, we were a mighty three generations for worship and a special luncheon.
As if that was not significant enough... little did I know what would happen next.
My mother has been struggling for several years with a variety of health issues (the story is too long and detailed to go into here). Let's just sum things up by saying her health and staminia have been compromised. At the end of April she experienced even more difficulties. This most recent incident has made it very difficult, if not impossible for her to return to her pastoral duties full time.
Her worship leadership this past Mother's Day Sunday is now one of the last of her leadership in the pulpit as she is discerning full time disability which will eventually lead her into her full retirement from ministry. She is now in transition...
I know she will miss full time ministry as she has thoroughly enjoyed herself and been blessed by the eight congregations she has served! I also know she is looking forward to the blessings that await in her 'retired' time. (Actually, we plan on keeping her busy with grandmother duties.)
So today, I pay tribute to my mother and colleague who was ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church the same Annual Conference that I was ordained Deacon- for all her sermons, prayers, baptisms, funerals, weddings, Confirmations, youth ministry, teaching, leadership, VBS, finanical stewardship, passion for mission and evangelism (one of her churches received the Small Church Evangelism Award at Annual Conference) to God be the Glory!
My mother may transition out of full time ministry but the waters of her baptism will still be upon her... so only when she reaches heaven's entrance will she hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Well done!"
Until then, the Lord is not done with her ministry...yet!
As if that was not significant enough... little did I know what would happen next.
My mother has been struggling for several years with a variety of health issues (the story is too long and detailed to go into here). Let's just sum things up by saying her health and staminia have been compromised. At the end of April she experienced even more difficulties. This most recent incident has made it very difficult, if not impossible for her to return to her pastoral duties full time.
Her worship leadership this past Mother's Day Sunday is now one of the last of her leadership in the pulpit as she is discerning full time disability which will eventually lead her into her full retirement from ministry. She is now in transition...
I know she will miss full time ministry as she has thoroughly enjoyed herself and been blessed by the eight congregations she has served! I also know she is looking forward to the blessings that await in her 'retired' time. (Actually, we plan on keeping her busy with grandmother duties.)
So today, I pay tribute to my mother and colleague who was ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church the same Annual Conference that I was ordained Deacon- for all her sermons, prayers, baptisms, funerals, weddings, Confirmations, youth ministry, teaching, leadership, VBS, finanical stewardship, passion for mission and evangelism (one of her churches received the Small Church Evangelism Award at Annual Conference) to God be the Glory!
My mother may transition out of full time ministry but the waters of her baptism will still be upon her... so only when she reaches heaven's entrance will she hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Well done!"
Until then, the Lord is not done with her ministry...yet!
What Love for Flat Stanley!
What happens when the greatest spectacle in racing meets a one-dimensional children's book character? Thrills, chills and spills... mostly, some great smiles and terrific memories!
Check out these amazing photos my wonderful husband (who is an awesome dad) arranged for our daughter, her Flat Stanley, and our friend's (Riley) Flat Stanley! Great pics and great experiences in winner's circle... and no "hitting the wall" or "running out of fuel"! All winners at the brickyard!
Check out these amazing photos my wonderful husband (who is an awesome dad) arranged for our daughter, her Flat Stanley, and our friend's (Riley) Flat Stanley! Great pics and great experiences in winner's circle... and no "hitting the wall" or "running out of fuel"! All winners at the brickyard!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
People Who Decline to Pray
Over the past few months I am been quietly working to recruit folks from our congregation to serve in partnership with our youth and adult missionaries to Belize. The trip is coming up in June. In fact, they leave the 16th of June.
Our youth director is leading a team of twenty-two! Now that is a nice big number! Wow. Amazing to consider so many folks who are willing and able to travel to another country and help people they have never even met. That sort of response and willingness to be generous inspires me.
At my previous appointment at Carmel UMC, I was the associate pastor who provided leadership for all our mission trips and mission events. I have lead international, national and local efforts many times over. Very quickly I learned that each experience of Christian action and service is done more fully and with more God-Divine power when it is bathed in prayer.
So, when I shared with Andrew that I wanted to recruit prayer partners for each of our Belize missionaries I did so with a great set of expectation and anticipation! What a super neat way to connect even more folks with sharing the love of Jesus! What a great way to grow faith in the missionaries AND the prayer partners! It is a triple win- for the missionary, for the partner in prayer, and the folks who receive the care of our missionaries' efforts in Belize. A win for Jesus! (and by the way, all of the Mission team AND the Prayer team have been finalized.)
Many of the folks who happily agreed did so with great enthusiasm. One lady was honored because she considers this "one of the few ways she can still contribute something to God's work" (she lives in a nursing home).
But then, weird happened.
Some folks declined the invitation to serve as a prayer partner. The first few folks who did not respond or politely declined did not seem weird. I was not frustrated .. just kinda disappointed. (I have blogged many times over about being turned down by potential mentors for our confirmands.) My skin has toughened over the years.... so to speak.
But then as the days rolled into weeks of asking and being told "no thanks"... I started to wonder and worry. I was not worried about getting enough people to pray for the Mission team... I got worried about the state of prayer in our congregation. My mind has wondered, "why are church going people having a difficult time saying, 'yes' when asked to pray for someone else? What does this mean about the current state of our spiritual health as a body of Christ?"
What does it mean when people decline to pray? I do not think it is about a practical issue or an intellectual issue nor a time management issue. No, the more I ponder this recent experience in the church the more convinced I am that this is a spiritual issue. And it worries me. Greatly.
So, much so, that I am praying about it. Fervently. I'd ask you to join me, but then you'd probably decline.
Our youth director is leading a team of twenty-two! Now that is a nice big number! Wow. Amazing to consider so many folks who are willing and able to travel to another country and help people they have never even met. That sort of response and willingness to be generous inspires me.
At my previous appointment at Carmel UMC, I was the associate pastor who provided leadership for all our mission trips and mission events. I have lead international, national and local efforts many times over. Very quickly I learned that each experience of Christian action and service is done more fully and with more God-Divine power when it is bathed in prayer.
So, when I shared with Andrew that I wanted to recruit prayer partners for each of our Belize missionaries I did so with a great set of expectation and anticipation! What a super neat way to connect even more folks with sharing the love of Jesus! What a great way to grow faith in the missionaries AND the prayer partners! It is a triple win- for the missionary, for the partner in prayer, and the folks who receive the care of our missionaries' efforts in Belize. A win for Jesus! (and by the way, all of the Mission team AND the Prayer team have been finalized.)
Many of the folks who happily agreed did so with great enthusiasm. One lady was honored because she considers this "one of the few ways she can still contribute something to God's work" (she lives in a nursing home).
But then, weird happened.
Some folks declined the invitation to serve as a prayer partner. The first few folks who did not respond or politely declined did not seem weird. I was not frustrated .. just kinda disappointed. (I have blogged many times over about being turned down by potential mentors for our confirmands.) My skin has toughened over the years.... so to speak.
But then as the days rolled into weeks of asking and being told "no thanks"... I started to wonder and worry. I was not worried about getting enough people to pray for the Mission team... I got worried about the state of prayer in our congregation. My mind has wondered, "why are church going people having a difficult time saying, 'yes' when asked to pray for someone else? What does this mean about the current state of our spiritual health as a body of Christ?"
What does it mean when people decline to pray? I do not think it is about a practical issue or an intellectual issue nor a time management issue. No, the more I ponder this recent experience in the church the more convinced I am that this is a spiritual issue. And it worries me. Greatly.
So, much so, that I am praying about it. Fervently. I'd ask you to join me, but then you'd probably decline.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Writing...
...many thank you cards (there are the teacher thank you cards for my student and then all our of Calvary Learning Academy teachers), graduation cards (we have 25 graduating from High School not counting our college and grad student graduations. I had to buy cards in bulk this year.), birthday cards (my family celebrates about 5 big birthdays this month (not counting mine) and bereavement cards (which I do monthly here at church and number about 25-30 each month) have absorbed and used all my words.
My words are plumb worn out. Gone. Used up. A shriveled pile of miscellaneous adjectives.
That is why my new devotions to Upper Room (so that they can turn me down another year in a row. I mean- they have a streak going so why break it?!) are not written. Why my Pentecost sermon is sitting somewhere in my cerebral cortex! And why my blog has remained un-used and empty for days.
When the words come back, I do have a new story about the dog to share. And there is the moment with Flat Stanley recently....ah, the momentum may come back yet this month (unlike the rain which has stayed away from our house leaving our grass brown in latter May).
Watch and see... more words are coming!
My words are plumb worn out. Gone. Used up. A shriveled pile of miscellaneous adjectives.
That is why my new devotions to Upper Room (so that they can turn me down another year in a row. I mean- they have a streak going so why break it?!) are not written. Why my Pentecost sermon is sitting somewhere in my cerebral cortex! And why my blog has remained un-used and empty for days.
When the words come back, I do have a new story about the dog to share. And there is the moment with Flat Stanley recently....ah, the momentum may come back yet this month (unlike the rain which has stayed away from our house leaving our grass brown in latter May).
Watch and see... more words are coming!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Year After 40
Over a year ago at this time my emotions were in a state of total freak out because I was turning forty years old. And I thought the world would end or my body would fall apart or good times would end!
Just shows you how little I knew, back in my thirties! ha.
Life begins after 40... because after last year's pivotal birthday the following happened:
Just shows you how little I knew, back in my thirties! ha.
Life begins after 40... because after last year's pivotal birthday the following happened:
- completed my first mini-marathon
- wrote two eulogies for two amazing people, Rod and my Gram
- got a book published with my co-author Todd
- drive a gorgeous red convertible on sunny days; don't forget my nickname- hot rod preacher!
Therefore, I expect great things to continue to happen in this new decade of life. More challenges, and more fun, more friends and more laughs. More growth in body, mind and spirit for myself and those around me. more confidence in being who God made me to be.
And most of all, I expect my Lord and Savior to show up everyday in it with me.
Yep, forty and forty one are the new foxy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)