I did it!!

I RAN and walked the Finishline 5K as a part of the 500 Festival this weekend!  WHAT!?!  Yes, I ran and walked it.  My wonderful (competitive) husband challenged me to beat the Kenyans, zombies and at least beat the time of 45 minutes.

Look below for photo evidence... my backside is a purple top with black running pants...as I cross over the line under 45 minutes!  WOO HOO!  I was so proud!

My pride grew as my husband told me how my daughter was inspired and intrigued by watching the whole event.  She turned to my husband after I crossed the line, "Dadda, I can do this!"

So, guess what?!  I think we found a new family hobby!!!

May Day!!

Our dogwood blooms while a bunny (who lived under our deck this winter) hops about the yard eating my husband's carefully groomed grass!  It is May! And twelve days until my birthday... hours before I walk the 5K at the Indy 500 Festival Mini-Marathon...and a whole month of end-of-school-busyness!  ACK!

Mostly it is May which means flowers, flowers, flowers!  I want to get dirt under my nails and get my flowers beds looking awesome and amazing.

All that is awesome expect that it does mean mulch will be arriving soon too.  Not sure if I can out do my overachieving work ethic from last year, but we will see!

Walking in Peace

Last year I walked the 500 Festival Mini-marathon in honor of my mother in law who deals with brain cancer even to this day.  Because of last week's in Boston at their annual marathon, I have decided to dedicate my 5K walk on May 4 here in Indianapolis towards peace and hope.  

Every step will be my prayer for our the healing of those injured or who lost loved ones.  Every inch will be dedicated to those who offered support, care, compassion, and love to the hurting.  Every mile will be a prayer for wisdom, discernment, truthfulness, and justice for the diligent work of law enforcement and the judicial system of our government.

And I shall pray for peace-filled Christians, Jews and Muslims who do not support this sort of violence in the name of God.  May our voices become stronger and louder against those who choose to 'hijack their faith'.

May our prayers for peace and hope be heard as we walk in our world!  

The Creek's Rising

  Three of our five candidates for baptism have requested the flowing baptismal waters of our local White Lick Creek!  With all the rain we have had lately a low water level will not be a problem, but a high, rapids might be. 

 

Creek baptisms are messy.  But so are sin and repentance, forgiveness and grace.  Squishy shoes with mud and grit along with sweat and spit make for delightful playground for God's redemptive work. 

Maybe that is where the phrase, "God will and the creek don't rise", came from or maybe not.

Pastors have all sorts of specialty items for our work; prayer books and Bibles, robes and stoles, strategies and songs... but I have on a garage shelf a special pair of shoes.  These are my creek baptism shoes.  I doubt even the Pope has a set of these wonder workers in a size 9 and a half!

On Saturday May 4, I shall wear my special shoes (along with bathing suit and clothes) as we gather at the river if it flowing fast or creek if it's normal or pool is we're in trouble for the waters of baptism. 

All in all the moment will remind us that God loves goes before us.  God's love forgives us and God's work sets us free to rise from the waters a new creature! 

To God be the glory!

Where Hast Thou Been?

Gosh- where did last week go?

Into the history pages as we did eight of our interviews for confirmation students, spent time working with new initatives with Adult Education team, met with staff about this and that, visited at the hospitals... and oh, got my kidlet out of her walking boot!

Whew! 

The week was full before we met with Friday afternoon's crisis.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers as we await more information on my mother in law.  Scans from the weekend show (she was hospitalized for paralysis in her face and arms) that her brain tumors have almost tripled in size these last six weeks.  (That sounds horrible-doesn't it?!)

She has another treatment option left.  And she and my father in law are praying their way through the decisions before them.  Actually after I chatted with her this morning, I think they want to hand this decision over to our Loving God.  I get that.

So, I think the best way to describe how my conversations with God lately ...is that I have been talking, asking questions, weighing options for my loved ones, and ultimately trying to LISTEN.

Now, I know what the Psalmist means by "wait" on the Lord.

Spring Break- what?!

While my Facebook newsfeed was filled with beach or vacation pictures from staff, friends, family and congregants... my spring break has been busy back home in Indiana.  And I was not even busy in the ways I planned to be!  My TO DO List remains barely touched... because two funerals interrupted my best laid plans. 

Oh, well... my kidlet enjoyed art camp (we have sooo much amazing, creative art that we need an art show at our house).  The ant infestation was destroyed.  The Mustang was driven several times!  (WOO HOO)  In the mail this week Todd and I were finally paid by our publisher for our book sales.  I am pleased to note we received more money than just the cost of a cheap bottle of wine!  (which was our bet long ago when that project started)  And I successfully tried six new recipes this week! Yum. Not bad for a stay-cation Spring Break! 

As I sit in my husband's office, with Gregorian chant playing in the background, I must finish my weekend sermon (yet here I am on my blog!). It has followed me around all week.  Too bad the sermon didn't write itself while I was busy with other things...  oh well.  I gave the words, the text, and ideas plenty of opportunity to run around freely adn then land on the page in a coherent and meaningful format. 

But alas, that did not come to pass!  Better go and capture those thoughts before 5pm today. 

Bye bye, spring break, maybe next year you'll be different!

The Days after H%^ Week...

I know the Lord is Risen- as two funeral homilies are given.

 

I know the Lord is Risen- while my weekend sermon is yet to be written.

 

I know the Lord is Risen- as the kidlet needs attention.

 

I know the Lord is Risen- while our ant infestation meets extinction.

 

He is Risen and yet, I remain with earthy feet of clay.

 

O Lord, please help me through this day!