It. is. just. too. cold. Frigidly cold.
On this cold, frost bitten Ohio winter day,
I stayed inside.
Although the sun shone today it was deceptive.
I missed its warmth though I adored its light.
Never in my memory has it been this polar cold.
I am thankful for the sun that spread its light
though not its warmth.
Perhaps, soon, as the days continue to lengthen
and in the few weeks to follow,
the sun will bring its warmth
and thaw us,
melt us,
awaken us to new life.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
MAKING PROGRESS
The retreat is basically done. I worked all day yesterday on the presentation aspect of it. The handouts are completed, and the worship liturgies just need some clip art.
I will pull out my Judy Wink oil lamp which I haven't used in a few years. The wick has dropped down and I will have to hook it up. I have some extra oil. So it is all coming together.
It's like a weight has been lifted off of me and I can work on a couple of baby projects.
My nephew's wife is pregnant and due in June, meaning I will be a great aunt. That sounds really old!!! Even older than grand parent! There will be a baby shower after Easter and so I do need to tackle these projects. Finally, something non-work related to have fun with!!!
It was just 2 degrees this morning when I left and 4 degrees when I arrived at church. I think we were down to -6 degrees last night. It is bitterly, frigidly cold. On the plus side, we don't have much snow at all, about 3/4 inch. Maybe Lake Erie will really freeze over and we won't be getting any lake effect snow.
My van moaned and groaned a bit yesterday evening on our way out to dinner. I know, we picked a cold night to have dinner out! But after it warmed up, Mystic, was fine again. She didn't groan this morning at all. I can't say as I blame her, at her age with her mileage. I groan a bit too, leaving my warm bed these recent mornings.
I have pulled out my turtlenecks and warm sweaters and cardigans. Sure am getting use out of my two new pairs of wool blend pants and my corduroys!!!
I even have a faux fur hat that I probably will wear to walk from the hospital garage, across the street and up the slope to the hospital today. I don't think the patient/parishioner will care about my hat hair. It looks better than a knit hat, especially for graveside services when it is really cold.
I suppose it will now be time to focus on Lent as it appears that I will still be here. From season to season life flows, but for now a bit of breathing space.
I will pull out my Judy Wink oil lamp which I haven't used in a few years. The wick has dropped down and I will have to hook it up. I have some extra oil. So it is all coming together.
It's like a weight has been lifted off of me and I can work on a couple of baby projects.
My nephew's wife is pregnant and due in June, meaning I will be a great aunt. That sounds really old!!! Even older than grand parent! There will be a baby shower after Easter and so I do need to tackle these projects. Finally, something non-work related to have fun with!!!
It was just 2 degrees this morning when I left and 4 degrees when I arrived at church. I think we were down to -6 degrees last night. It is bitterly, frigidly cold. On the plus side, we don't have much snow at all, about 3/4 inch. Maybe Lake Erie will really freeze over and we won't be getting any lake effect snow.
My van moaned and groaned a bit yesterday evening on our way out to dinner. I know, we picked a cold night to have dinner out! But after it warmed up, Mystic, was fine again. She didn't groan this morning at all. I can't say as I blame her, at her age with her mileage. I groan a bit too, leaving my warm bed these recent mornings.
I have pulled out my turtlenecks and warm sweaters and cardigans. Sure am getting use out of my two new pairs of wool blend pants and my corduroys!!!
I even have a faux fur hat that I probably will wear to walk from the hospital garage, across the street and up the slope to the hospital today. I don't think the patient/parishioner will care about my hat hair. It looks better than a knit hat, especially for graveside services when it is really cold.
I suppose it will now be time to focus on Lent as it appears that I will still be here. From season to season life flows, but for now a bit of breathing space.
Monday, January 13, 2014
CHECK IN
Yay! The Sabbath Sachets are done! Some of the handouts for the retreat are done. The retreat itself is still in bits and pieces. I have this weekend and next Tuesday to get it all done.
It's funny about time, as I continue to ponder it, that today, when I had planned to make two visits - one I had scheduled, the other I was just going to go to the nursing home - I still made two visits, but not the same nursing home. Ahh, God had other plans for me to visit today!
The scheduled home visit went longer than planned and I didn't have the time to give to the first nursing home. So, on my way to the first nursing home, I honored time and went to the other nursing home here in town. I had promised the parishioner last week that I would stop in sometime and bring the star gift words so she could choose one. And so, that is where I ended up. And she was feeling a bit discouraged with her progress and on Friday will have s "simple" procedure done, which I had forgotten about. Thankfully, God has a way working things out and I had prayer with her about the procedure on Friday and we had a good talk.
I will get to the other nursing home on Wednesday! That is, if God isn't against it!!!!
It's funny about time, as I continue to ponder it, that today, when I had planned to make two visits - one I had scheduled, the other I was just going to go to the nursing home - I still made two visits, but not the same nursing home. Ahh, God had other plans for me to visit today!
The scheduled home visit went longer than planned and I didn't have the time to give to the first nursing home. So, on my way to the first nursing home, I honored time and went to the other nursing home here in town. I had promised the parishioner last week that I would stop in sometime and bring the star gift words so she could choose one. And so, that is where I ended up. And she was feeling a bit discouraged with her progress and on Friday will have s "simple" procedure done, which I had forgotten about. Thankfully, God has a way working things out and I had prayer with her about the procedure on Friday and we had a good talk.
I will get to the other nursing home on Wednesday! That is, if God isn't against it!!!!
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
NEW YEAR
Ahh, a new year, all fresh, clean, unsullied. Makes you just want to dive right in!!!
Of course, as I wrote the end of the year - my January is really full. Chock full of things to be done and prepared and tended to.
I found it interesting that my star gift word this year is - TIME. Simple. Yet, not so simple.
It is about spending time with God, more time. It is about the stewardship of time. Using time wisely. I am pretty good about time management. I have been less attentive in my prayer and Sabbath time. Obviously, I am hearing a call to that in this word.
Interesting that this is my word for the year as I am working on a retreat on Keeping Sabbath for the church women at the end of the month. Keeping Sabbath is also related to time. Check out Bonnie Thurston's - To Everything a Season.
Interesting that I spent last week/weekend reading a 600+ page novel which I haven't done in a while. A novel that has nothing to do with church or spiritually related things. And I sunk myself into it, and enjoyed it immensely and I had to just keep reading and finish it. Therefore, some things didn't get done that weekend. But they have since gotten done.
Interesting that yesterday was so icy I didn't make it in to church but worked instead from home. No, visits couldn't be made, but I did plan out Epiphany season! And started on the Sabbath Sachets. It was time well-used and well-spent.
So, this year, I will be spending it with Time. Making time, spending time, using time, honoring time, giving time, receiving time, cherishing time and being open to time. Perhaps, being patient with time? I am not the most patient person at times. There will be all manner of lessons with time that await me this year.
Thankfully, part of my check list of things to be done, has been completed. Other items are still in process - the Sabbath sachets still need to be filled and the ends hand-stitched shut.
It will all get done - in its time. Mostly, I believe that I simply am called to honor time in this new year.
Of course, as I wrote the end of the year - my January is really full. Chock full of things to be done and prepared and tended to.
I found it interesting that my star gift word this year is - TIME. Simple. Yet, not so simple.
It is about spending time with God, more time. It is about the stewardship of time. Using time wisely. I am pretty good about time management. I have been less attentive in my prayer and Sabbath time. Obviously, I am hearing a call to that in this word.
Interesting that this is my word for the year as I am working on a retreat on Keeping Sabbath for the church women at the end of the month. Keeping Sabbath is also related to time. Check out Bonnie Thurston's - To Everything a Season.
Interesting that I spent last week/weekend reading a 600+ page novel which I haven't done in a while. A novel that has nothing to do with church or spiritually related things. And I sunk myself into it, and enjoyed it immensely and I had to just keep reading and finish it. Therefore, some things didn't get done that weekend. But they have since gotten done.
Interesting that yesterday was so icy I didn't make it in to church but worked instead from home. No, visits couldn't be made, but I did plan out Epiphany season! And started on the Sabbath Sachets. It was time well-used and well-spent.
So, this year, I will be spending it with Time. Making time, spending time, using time, honoring time, giving time, receiving time, cherishing time and being open to time. Perhaps, being patient with time? I am not the most patient person at times. There will be all manner of lessons with time that await me this year.
Thankfully, part of my check list of things to be done, has been completed. Other items are still in process - the Sabbath sachets still need to be filled and the ends hand-stitched shut.
It will all get done - in its time. Mostly, I believe that I simply am called to honor time in this new year.
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