that everytime I turn around it's time for yet another newsletter article? I simply can't believe how quick a month goes by and that is that newsletter deadline hanging over my head! And then I agonize over what I should write or say. Sometimes, I believe I overthink it all and in the end agonize too much over it. Some months, the writing flows freely and others, it's like wringing water from a
stone! Maybe, with getting the thank you's to our teachers - one Sunday School teacher, 1 who taught Confirmation Class while I was out, and 1 who taught the Tues. evening Bible Study class while I was, and getting the Confirmation Gifts together for June 2nd, and that I became a great-aunt again, has meant much going on and little focus.
My niece gave birth(through C-section) to identical twin girls - Simone and Maya. All are well and healthy, although, Maya is still in NICU and hopefully, will be able to go home the end of the week.
They had to pass a lung test before they could go home. They arrived early and were around 5 lbs. each. I never thought my niece would ever marry and three years ago she did and I officiated. Then with residency and her age (middle thirties) we never thought she'd have kids - and the over-achiever that she is, had two in one shot!!!!
There was the baby shower in Chicago at The Drake with grandmas and old aunties, but such a lovely tea and time together with my niece, sister, and family friends. It was a whirlwind weekend, but was good for the soul.
But, now my focus must be on the newsletter.
I pray for divine inspiration and a bit more breathing room between the deadlines!
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Sunday, May 05, 2019
HER VOICE NOW SILENCED
I am stunned to hear of Rachel Held Evans passing just this Saturday. I have truly enjoyed her books, her voice on faith and struggling with her evangelical Christian background. I just read her book, Inspired, while I was laid up and recovering from my foot surgery.
I cannot believe her voice, her life is gone. At a mere 37 years old. It doesn't seem fair. I so rooted for her as a mainline Protestant. May light perpetual shine on her. God surround her husband and family in their utter grief and anguish and grant them peace and a measure of comfort. I can't imagine how much they must be hurting. We have lost a voice and light, but I know she has touched many lives and may her writings continue to do so.
There has been far too much death lately.
A man from the last congregation I served, just 2 years younger than I, and a dear soul of the 60's & 70's, who was a youth leader in the 80's & 90's, has died from lung cancer. Yes, he was a smoker, but such a wonderful, caring person. His mom in her 90's must be devasted. He was adopted and after a divorce and a daughter, remarried and they had decades together and a son. He will always have a warm place in my heart. Perhaps, several years ago, when he quit a lucrative job fixing gas wells and always away from home in S Ohio, W Virginia, & Pennsylvania for stretches at a time, was one of his best moves - that he had more time with his wife and family, available to help his mom. Now, he too has left this world at just 58 years of age.
This past Saturday, a worshipper (she never joined) whose husband died of lung cancer just months after I baptized him, told me she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She is fragile person, still missing her husband. They were married for only 5 years. Although they knew each other longer, perhaps, 10 years at most. He was a bachelor who found love with her and she, who had been in an unhealthy marriage/divorce, found love when she never thought she would. They were so good for each other. And now, she is facing cancer herself.
There is too much death going on around here.
But I am so deeply saddened by Rachel Held Evans death. A voice silenced much too soon. May the ripples of her faith and struggles and growth in faith reach out far and wide as they have. Rest in peace, Rachel. You will be so missed.
I cannot believe her voice, her life is gone. At a mere 37 years old. It doesn't seem fair. I so rooted for her as a mainline Protestant. May light perpetual shine on her. God surround her husband and family in their utter grief and anguish and grant them peace and a measure of comfort. I can't imagine how much they must be hurting. We have lost a voice and light, but I know she has touched many lives and may her writings continue to do so.
There has been far too much death lately.
A man from the last congregation I served, just 2 years younger than I, and a dear soul of the 60's & 70's, who was a youth leader in the 80's & 90's, has died from lung cancer. Yes, he was a smoker, but such a wonderful, caring person. His mom in her 90's must be devasted. He was adopted and after a divorce and a daughter, remarried and they had decades together and a son. He will always have a warm place in my heart. Perhaps, several years ago, when he quit a lucrative job fixing gas wells and always away from home in S Ohio, W Virginia, & Pennsylvania for stretches at a time, was one of his best moves - that he had more time with his wife and family, available to help his mom. Now, he too has left this world at just 58 years of age.
This past Saturday, a worshipper (she never joined) whose husband died of lung cancer just months after I baptized him, told me she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She is fragile person, still missing her husband. They were married for only 5 years. Although they knew each other longer, perhaps, 10 years at most. He was a bachelor who found love with her and she, who had been in an unhealthy marriage/divorce, found love when she never thought she would. They were so good for each other. And now, she is facing cancer herself.
There is too much death going on around here.
But I am so deeply saddened by Rachel Held Evans death. A voice silenced much too soon. May the ripples of her faith and struggles and growth in faith reach out far and wide as they have. Rest in peace, Rachel. You will be so missed.
Friday, May 03, 2019
HARD TO BELIEVE
that in this day and age (21st century) that some Americans are without electricity. Four of our electric employees from the town in which I live, just returned from the Navajo nation putting up power lines and connecting homes with electricity. There must be a few thousand homes still in need.
I wish our government would stop wasting money on senseless things, mindless spending on lawyers and trying to oust the current president and use that money to bring electricity to these Americans. That's the very least our government can do. There is no intelligent reason that by now, these native American people should be without electricity. Shame on the government. Shame on us.
We are so comfortable in our lives and neglect those in need, who are so deserving of simple, basic essentials of life. There should be hew and outcry about this.
We consider ourselves a developed country, the most powerful nation in the world, and yet, our native Americans are living in 3rd world conditions. This is an outrage.
IT's time we contact our representatives and senators and demand the government step and bring the 20th century to our fellow Americans. Before we spend another cent, the money should go to provide electricity on these reservations which in turn, will provide opportunities for being connected, education, and jobs. They should be given access to the internet as well.
We know that our native American sisters and brothers have been woefully mistreated and there is no reason that the basic things that the rest of have and enjoy without a second thought should be available to them.
Let's make a concerted effort to raise up this issue and hold our elected leaders accountable for the money they spend so foolishly and refocus them and redirect our tax dollars to where they do the most good for the most needed.
I, for one, am ashamed of my country and my elected leaders. God forgive us and guide us to do the right and good thing.
I wish our government would stop wasting money on senseless things, mindless spending on lawyers and trying to oust the current president and use that money to bring electricity to these Americans. That's the very least our government can do. There is no intelligent reason that by now, these native American people should be without electricity. Shame on the government. Shame on us.
We are so comfortable in our lives and neglect those in need, who are so deserving of simple, basic essentials of life. There should be hew and outcry about this.
We consider ourselves a developed country, the most powerful nation in the world, and yet, our native Americans are living in 3rd world conditions. This is an outrage.
IT's time we contact our representatives and senators and demand the government step and bring the 20th century to our fellow Americans. Before we spend another cent, the money should go to provide electricity on these reservations which in turn, will provide opportunities for being connected, education, and jobs. They should be given access to the internet as well.
We know that our native American sisters and brothers have been woefully mistreated and there is no reason that the basic things that the rest of have and enjoy without a second thought should be available to them.
Let's make a concerted effort to raise up this issue and hold our elected leaders accountable for the money they spend so foolishly and refocus them and redirect our tax dollars to where they do the most good for the most needed.
I, for one, am ashamed of my country and my elected leaders. God forgive us and guide us to do the right and good thing.
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