Stuff You Need at Annual Conference

Here's a collection stuff that you will definitely need when you come to an Annual Conference gathering of United Methodists:

• Sunscreen for the walking commutes between buildings.
• Large beach towels because the towels provided in the dorm are only big enough to dry your cat.
• Your own laptop, iPod, and cell phone or iPhone so you can blend into the campus wildlife.
• Either a large bladder OR depends undergarments because the line for restrooms is longer than the line to meet the author of Harry Potter books.
• Heavy doses of sugar and caffiene to both stay awake for all the meetings and to be outgoing enough so that you can meet and greet all these thousands of people!
• Good walking shoes.
• and a strong desire to hang out with a bunch of God-loving, Jesus-freaking, Spirit-sharing people called United Methodists!

So bring yourself and come on over!

Annual Conference- here we come!

We leave this week for Annual Conference- our first one on Ball State University campus as the entire state of United Methodists. It is back to the dorm for me for the week! Woopee! At least this dorm will be air conditioned as my college one was not.

Lots of meetings, lots of hugs/greetings, seeing old friends, former parishioners etc. And lots of guest speakers this year so hopefully I will learn something new or remember something old that I need to re-learn.

Anyway- I shall see you all after we get back! Blessings!

What I learned at VBS

We learned many things about following God, living on EDGE, and serving Jesus this week at Vacation Bible School. Here are a few tidbits that I learned and re-learned...

• Kids and adults alike prefer to have their feet washed rather than wash others.
• Children become hyper after snack time.
• Preschoolers tune everything out after 2 1/2 hours of VBS fun.
• No one can resist putting on a costume and acting out a part in a story.
• Children with Kool aid mustaches are even more irresistibly cute!
• Kids are naturally generous as long as you give them the means to do so.
• Our youth are especially awesome! They helped everywhere during VBS. And were terrific role models for our littlest ones.

Now, it is time to rest, reflect and remember all we've learned.

VBS-ness

The last two days we've lived, played, sang, danced, eaten and talked with over 300 at Vacation Bible School. Whew- I was soooooooooooo tired after yesterday's session that I came home and napped. Lost my voice on day one too. (Hard to be a storyteller if you don't have a voice!)

I've got two great youth and adult helpers, though! We're having a fantastic time telling stories from the Bible. Got three more to do. I am gathering more props and what not for tomorrow's story. Drop by in the morning this week- you've just got to see what we're doing.

It is a joy to see little one and big ones- getting it. That is getting something new or deeper about who God is and what God is doing in their lives.

I wonder if the kids would be willing to follow me into a labyrinth?

Where Have I Been?

This week has been hectic. My husband was home 24 hours and then left again. When he returned I had another suitcase ready for packing!

Mid-morning today we arrived home from four stressless days and three restful nights at my aunt's lake house. We only worried about food, sleep, how much sunscreen to wear and whether the fish were biting. Say it with me, "Ah."

Fishing, napping, reading, relaxing, boating, and swimming were our amusements. I became so mellow tiny little roots started shooting out of my toes. So we had to leave before they sunk too deep.

Now, we're back and ready for a hectic and fun week of Vacation Bible School! (We shall blog more about that later.)

Guys and Grass

What is up with guys and grass? Even though we've lived in our current neighborhood for over three years, I am still baffled by the intimate and often prideful connection between men and their lawns.

Guys on our street gather on our sidewalks to compare lawn care services, techniques and the gossip around the area. They discuss the best deals on bulk mulch and rent as a group this giant contraption that puts holes in the lawn (which, I think, look like stubby worms everywhere).

The benefit of all this effort- beautiful homes and gardens. Grass, shrubs and trees are better manicured than my finger nails. It is a good thing, really.

My husband and and I were asked recently if our neighborhood was 'nice' by a prospective new neighbor. My hubbie laughed and said, "only if you're willing to work on your yard." I have heard the guys discussing which neighbors are not caring for their overgrown shrubs, shaggy grass, and awkward landscapes. Often times they offer to help out this 'slacking neighbor' (which sometimes is another excuse to use a new tool more often) and mostly about making our section of the world beautiful.

With all that said, I gotta go mow the lawn. All this rain has caused it to grown again.

Oh no- I've got it too.

Kids & Writing

I have been amazed by the variety and amount of new literature that is out there now for kids of all ages. My writing class has sent me to the library on numerous assignments to read emergent reader books, chapter books, YA, and even graphic novels (not what you think). Never really considered this whole genre of literature from this angle before.

What fun it was to re-discover old friends along the way. Like Beverly Cleary and all of her books! What a hoot! Boy- did that bring back a rush of nostalgia from grade school and middle school. Some things I had hoped to forget.

Anyway, I am off to the library for yet another assignment (i.e. considering nonfiction writing for kids). By the way- never go to the library during the first week of summer break when it's raining. Way too loud and crowded.

June Blessings

June has brought the heat! WOO HOO! I think we need to get a sprinkler. The squirt guns don't quite cut it anymore.

Spent the morning with my spiritual director today. We meet every other month for what John Wesley might call 'holy conversation.' Talking and listening with an ear towards what God's Spirit is sharing.

Sometimes I take my journal (the one book I have that no one is allowed to read). Other times we process dreams, situations, songs, prayers, and sermons. Mostly it is life stuff. And we try to discern in what ways God is active and busy in my life.

My favorite part is our closing time together. My spiritual director prays over me and for me (i.e. what we have shared and what she senses needs to be addressed before God). And for someone like me who routinely prays for others (out loud and in silence) it is such a gift and blessing to be prayed over!!

Today, I mentioned my joy over my director's prayers for me. She laughed and said, "I know the feeling. It is my favorite part when I see my director too!" I guess those of us who are busy caring for others and making it our business do indeed feel blessed, humbled and deeply appreciative when others pray for us.

So, go pray for someone today. And then if you are brave enough, ask someone to pray for you!

You'll be blessed too.