RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE ON MONDAY: What Are You Doing for Lent?
1. Did you celebrate Mardi Gras and/or Ash Wednesday this week? How?
Attended pancake dinner at LH's church on Shrove Tues.
Held a joint Ash Wednesday service with our Methodist neighbors
at their church.
2. What was your most memorable Mardi Gras/Ash Wednesday/Lent?
Memorable? I suppose 2005 when I had surgery on Shrove Tuesday to
repair the quad muscle I tore off my knee when I spilled down
icy steps. Spent Ash Wednesday in the most pain I ever had in
my life in the hospital.
3. Did you/your church/your family celebrate Lent as a child? If not, when and how did you discover it?
There was not as much emphasis on Lent when growing up, at least not in
the Presby church, although I was surrounded by Roman Catholics. Mom
made Fasnachtchuechli every year (dough stretched paper thin over the knees,
deep fried, drained and then sprinkled with powered sugar.
Maundy Thursday we attended church and had communion.
Discovered Lent in Seminary and as I served as prison chaplain.
4. Are you more in the give-up camp, or the take-on camp, or somewhere in between?
Usually the take-on camp.
5. How do you plan to keep Lent this year?
By dwelling with a Lenten word a day in prayer and contemplation.
And also, holding my tongue with LH and being less critical. That's
the plan at any rate. So far so good!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
NAMES MEME - as seen over at Presbyterian Gal, thanks, dear. This was fun!
Give it a whirl and see for yourself!
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, current car): Rex Sebring (used husband's car, since "caravan" doesn't have the same cachet!)
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe):
Chocolate Moose Tracks Sneakers
3. YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal): Green Greyhound
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, city where you were born): Ann Melrose Park
5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two of your first name): Barba (sounds barbarian)
6. SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Blue H2O (Help to Others!!)
7. NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers): Sam Rudy (used short forms which maybe sounds better?)
8. STRIPPER NAME ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy):
Opium Chocolate (sounds addictive)
9. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your fifth grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Zak Zurich
10. SPY NAME (your favorite season/holiday, flower): Autumn Larkspur
11. CARTOON NAME (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Peach Sweater
12. HIPPIE NAME (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Bagel Gingko
Give it a whirl and see for yourself!
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, current car): Rex Sebring (used husband's car, since "caravan" doesn't have the same cachet!)
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe):
Chocolate Moose Tracks Sneakers
3. YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal): Green Greyhound
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, city where you were born): Ann Melrose Park
5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two of your first name): Barba (sounds barbarian)
6. SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Blue H2O (Help to Others!!)
7. NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers): Sam Rudy (used short forms which maybe sounds better?)
8. STRIPPER NAME ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy):
Opium Chocolate (sounds addictive)
9. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your fifth grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Zak Zurich
10. SPY NAME (your favorite season/holiday, flower): Autumn Larkspur
11. CARTOON NAME (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Peach Sweater
12. HIPPIE NAME (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Bagel Gingko
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
My 160th Post -
On this grey and rainy Ash Wednesday, on this day of repentance, of rending our hearts and not our clothes before God, of remembering my mortality and my sin which is ever before me - GRACE!
A beautiful colorful rainbow to speak of God's grace, love and hope. Take heart. My love is with you and all around you. Your sins are forgiven. With Me there is life and new life forever and always.
On this grey and rainy Ash Wednesday, on this day of repentance, of rending our hearts and not our clothes before God, of remembering my mortality and my sin which is ever before me - GRACE!
A beautiful colorful rainbow to speak of God's grace, love and hope. Take heart. My love is with you and all around you. Your sins are forgiven. With Me there is life and new life forever and always.
ASH WEDNESDAY
A grey day reflecting the grey grittiness of the ashes.
A humbling day remembering my mortality, my sinfulness.
A day of returning to God, kneeling before God, in contriteness,
in repentance, seeking forgiveness, grace, hope, and a love that
accepts, welcomes and makes new.
O God,
I turn to you, so sorry, for my headstrong willfulness, need to control, and busyness that gets in the way. In your mercy, forgive me and renew a right spirit within me. Make this time of Lent, a true time with you. Amen.
A grey day reflecting the grey grittiness of the ashes.
A humbling day remembering my mortality, my sinfulness.
A day of returning to God, kneeling before God, in contriteness,
in repentance, seeking forgiveness, grace, hope, and a love that
accepts, welcomes and makes new.
O God,
I turn to you, so sorry, for my headstrong willfulness, need to control, and busyness that gets in the way. In your mercy, forgive me and renew a right spirit within me. Make this time of Lent, a true time with you. Amen.
Monday, February 04, 2008
FEELING OVERWHELMED-
It's the start of Lent anxiety preparing for Ash Wednesday and First Sunday in Lent, as well as the last 3 Lenten breakfasts (in March) at our church, a Lenten Soup Supper hosting Presby churches in our county, Communion this Sunday, Baked Potato Lunch for Mission, and the Ordination/Installation of Elders and Deacons next Sunday, and the Boy Scouts Blue and Gold Dinner the night before our Soup Supper.
For a short month, even with an extra day, February promises to be a whirlwind of activity and I will need to be even more intentional in carving out time to simply be with God. I am already exhausted just thinking about it all.
Best to ease through it one day at time, walking one step at time with my Lord.
It's the start of Lent anxiety preparing for Ash Wednesday and First Sunday in Lent, as well as the last 3 Lenten breakfasts (in March) at our church, a Lenten Soup Supper hosting Presby churches in our county, Communion this Sunday, Baked Potato Lunch for Mission, and the Ordination/Installation of Elders and Deacons next Sunday, and the Boy Scouts Blue and Gold Dinner the night before our Soup Supper.
For a short month, even with an extra day, February promises to be a whirlwind of activity and I will need to be even more intentional in carving out time to simply be with God. I am already exhausted just thinking about it all.
Best to ease through it one day at time, walking one step at time with my Lord.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
BLUSTERY ARCTIC MORNING
The winds blew in last night and we've had gusts of 50-60 mph.
Of course, we had the windy rainstorm followed by a huge drop off in temperature, on garbage night.
Little Town has automated garbage pickup. The city assigns you a cart with a number and it's yours to care for. For nearly 5 years, we've had nary a problem with our green cart, until this morning.
No green cart as far as the eye can see. I assumed it blew somewhere, but not even within sight?
So, I spent 20 minutes driving through the sub-division looking for our cart, down every cul-de-sac. One fellow had three carts on his lawn, alas none were ours. I drove (mind you with that bitter cold whipping I wouldn't have lasted 5 yards) down the the major intersection where there were 2 carts lying on the corner. It was a long shot that ours would have travelled that far, but hey, stranger things have happened. I got out to check the numbers. Another van pulls up, another woman gets out with a little scrap of paper in her hand - also checking numbers. We exchange how we're looking for our lost litter containers. She checks the one and then says, "I guess I'll just take one." And she loaded up one garbage cart that wasn't hers. I wouldn't take a cart that wasn't mine, knowing someone must be looking for it.
Now I wonder who might've taken ours. I'm hoping one of my next-door neighbors brought it into their garage for safe keeping and will give us our garbage cart back this evening. Unless someone, actually took ours by mistake, but then where is theirs?
The Sanitation Dept. in Little Town got flooded with 1400 calls about missing garbage carts. Sure hope they turn up.
As humble as they are, garbage carts are a necessity and one thing I wouldn't want to do without - except I really only miss it, once a week, when we fill it and set it out to be relieved of its burden and ours. I wonder how we will cart away all our weekly debris and where our garbage cart now resides. I kinda miss it, even if it did just stand mutely in the garage as a sentinel to greet me whenever I pull into the garage. It was our garbage cart, spanking and sparkling new along with our house (except for the construction dust and grime)and the mail box. It all was new together and part of our life in Little Town.
Oh, Little Town will give us another one, but it just won't be the same. I know its number and I'll be looking for it.
The winds blew in last night and we've had gusts of 50-60 mph.
Of course, we had the windy rainstorm followed by a huge drop off in temperature, on garbage night.
Little Town has automated garbage pickup. The city assigns you a cart with a number and it's yours to care for. For nearly 5 years, we've had nary a problem with our green cart, until this morning.
No green cart as far as the eye can see. I assumed it blew somewhere, but not even within sight?
So, I spent 20 minutes driving through the sub-division looking for our cart, down every cul-de-sac. One fellow had three carts on his lawn, alas none were ours. I drove (mind you with that bitter cold whipping I wouldn't have lasted 5 yards) down the the major intersection where there were 2 carts lying on the corner. It was a long shot that ours would have travelled that far, but hey, stranger things have happened. I got out to check the numbers. Another van pulls up, another woman gets out with a little scrap of paper in her hand - also checking numbers. We exchange how we're looking for our lost litter containers. She checks the one and then says, "I guess I'll just take one." And she loaded up one garbage cart that wasn't hers. I wouldn't take a cart that wasn't mine, knowing someone must be looking for it.
Now I wonder who might've taken ours. I'm hoping one of my next-door neighbors brought it into their garage for safe keeping and will give us our garbage cart back this evening. Unless someone, actually took ours by mistake, but then where is theirs?
The Sanitation Dept. in Little Town got flooded with 1400 calls about missing garbage carts. Sure hope they turn up.
As humble as they are, garbage carts are a necessity and one thing I wouldn't want to do without - except I really only miss it, once a week, when we fill it and set it out to be relieved of its burden and ours. I wonder how we will cart away all our weekly debris and where our garbage cart now resides. I kinda miss it, even if it did just stand mutely in the garage as a sentinel to greet me whenever I pull into the garage. It was our garbage cart, spanking and sparkling new along with our house (except for the construction dust and grime)and the mail box. It all was new together and part of our life in Little Town.
Oh, Little Town will give us another one, but it just won't be the same. I know its number and I'll be looking for it.
Monday, January 28, 2008
THINGS NEVER MENTIONED IN SEMINARY:
Sunday was our annual congregational meeting following worship in our Fellowship Hall. Nominating & Building & Grounds committees (small committees though they are)were to host the coffee hour. One white-haired saint of the church made a point to mention a week ago Sunday, that she hoped there would be something more than just donuts, if you expect people to stay.
Well, now she had a point. When the Deacons met on Wednesday (1 is on Nominating committee, 1 is wife of Nominating committee member), the annual meeting was mentioned and someone mentioned donuts. I simply commented that perhaps we could use something a bit more since it would be lunch time. One offered some Trail Bologna (good Amish country cold sausage) and cheese and crackers. Great.
I began to think of the kids and knew you have to feed the crowd to make it more enjoyable and way of gathering. What good is the meeting when everyone's stomach is growling and all they're thinking is: how much longer 'til this is over and we can get lunch?
So, I made three salads - egg, salmon and chicken on Saturday.
On Sunday morning, I went through 3 loaves of bread (2 white, 1 wheat)and made an assembly line smearing salad on slices of bread and topping them with another slice, then cutting the slice diagonally into triangles and cutting the triangles diagonally into smaller triangles. After, I filled a serving plate, I went on and made American cheese sandwiches, cutting them in the same way. Next the PB & J with the same process. I put the cheese and PB & J onto a serving plate and the salmon salad sandwiches on their own seperate plate.
(The day before I made folded over index cards and a multi-colored pencil to write the name of the different sandwiches so people knew if it was chicken or tuna or what the salmon was!)
In a half hour I had all the sandwiches made, having gone through three loaves of bread and wondered if there was enough. I bagged up the left over salads, thinking they could be smeared on crackers.
Right after worship, I had to go to the office and run something off the computer which took some time. By the time I got upstairs, most of the sandwiches were gone. I got a triangle of American cheese. The trail bologna had vanished. There was some Swiss cheese, crackers, veges and dip and cookies still left.
Had I not made the salads and sandwiches, there would've been many hungry people. The kids gobbled up the cheese and PB & J sandwiches.
I sent one woman whose daughter is disabled and whose grandson lives with her, home with some egg and chicken salads.
There was still some left for LH and I to have a sandwich when we arrived back home.
I don't recall it ever mentioned in Seminary, that sometimes you have to literally feed your people, with homemade sandwiches!!! Even then, the meeting lasted less than 1/2 an hour! (which I suppose is OK that there weren't any major issues or concerns weighing heavily on people's hearts - outside the big gloomy ones of aging membership, no new members, tight finances, but we have 5 young people in the confirmation process, kids involved in Tone Chimes, choir and a small youth group and younger members who stepped in and have taken over some of the activities the older women and folks could no longer do without so much as a complaint! So there are signs of hope along the way!)
It's just one of those things that never got mentioned in Seminary...
I'm sure there are many more! Care to share what never was mentioned in Seminary that you ended up doing?
Sunday was our annual congregational meeting following worship in our Fellowship Hall. Nominating & Building & Grounds committees (small committees though they are)were to host the coffee hour. One white-haired saint of the church made a point to mention a week ago Sunday, that she hoped there would be something more than just donuts, if you expect people to stay.
Well, now she had a point. When the Deacons met on Wednesday (1 is on Nominating committee, 1 is wife of Nominating committee member), the annual meeting was mentioned and someone mentioned donuts. I simply commented that perhaps we could use something a bit more since it would be lunch time. One offered some Trail Bologna (good Amish country cold sausage) and cheese and crackers. Great.
I began to think of the kids and knew you have to feed the crowd to make it more enjoyable and way of gathering. What good is the meeting when everyone's stomach is growling and all they're thinking is: how much longer 'til this is over and we can get lunch?
So, I made three salads - egg, salmon and chicken on Saturday.
On Sunday morning, I went through 3 loaves of bread (2 white, 1 wheat)and made an assembly line smearing salad on slices of bread and topping them with another slice, then cutting the slice diagonally into triangles and cutting the triangles diagonally into smaller triangles. After, I filled a serving plate, I went on and made American cheese sandwiches, cutting them in the same way. Next the PB & J with the same process. I put the cheese and PB & J onto a serving plate and the salmon salad sandwiches on their own seperate plate.
(The day before I made folded over index cards and a multi-colored pencil to write the name of the different sandwiches so people knew if it was chicken or tuna or what the salmon was!)
In a half hour I had all the sandwiches made, having gone through three loaves of bread and wondered if there was enough. I bagged up the left over salads, thinking they could be smeared on crackers.
Right after worship, I had to go to the office and run something off the computer which took some time. By the time I got upstairs, most of the sandwiches were gone. I got a triangle of American cheese. The trail bologna had vanished. There was some Swiss cheese, crackers, veges and dip and cookies still left.
Had I not made the salads and sandwiches, there would've been many hungry people. The kids gobbled up the cheese and PB & J sandwiches.
I sent one woman whose daughter is disabled and whose grandson lives with her, home with some egg and chicken salads.
There was still some left for LH and I to have a sandwich when we arrived back home.
I don't recall it ever mentioned in Seminary, that sometimes you have to literally feed your people, with homemade sandwiches!!! Even then, the meeting lasted less than 1/2 an hour! (which I suppose is OK that there weren't any major issues or concerns weighing heavily on people's hearts - outside the big gloomy ones of aging membership, no new members, tight finances, but we have 5 young people in the confirmation process, kids involved in Tone Chimes, choir and a small youth group and younger members who stepped in and have taken over some of the activities the older women and folks could no longer do without so much as a complaint! So there are signs of hope along the way!)
It's just one of those things that never got mentioned in Seminary...
I'm sure there are many more! Care to share what never was mentioned in Seminary that you ended up doing?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
MY TRUE NATURE REVEALED -
Thanks to Skewed View!!!!
Guess all the time lazing about with my greys has worn off on me!!!
You Would Be a Pet Dog |
 You're friendly, loyal, and an all around good sport. People love to be near you. You are very open with your feelings, and you're quite vocal in expressing them. You are sincere and kind. You love many people - without any sort of agenda. Why you would make a great pet: You're content to chill out with your friends Why you would make a bad pet: You always find yourself getting into trouble What you would love about being a dog: Running around and playing What you would hate about being a dog: Being left home alone while everyone else is out having fun |
Thanks to Skewed View!!!!
Guess all the time lazing about with my greys has worn off on me!!!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
SO FAR THIS YEAR...(Book Challenge)
I have read Praying in Color by Sybil Macbeth. I am still working on A Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs, and also in process is The Disciple-Making Church by Glenn MacDonald.
I ended up last year with Pontoon by Garrison Keillor, and Desperate Preacher's Wives by (I can't remember and passed the book on).
I have a couple others in process and hope I will actually finish them. Anne Lamott's is right up there (third in Traveling Mercies series).
I am flooded with Lenten projects and am at the overwhelmed stage although ideas are fairly solid and taking good form. Now, I have sit and type them into existence.
What I most want right now is a nap!!!!!! (and this at 10:55 am). Gonna be a long day working on my sermon.
I have read Praying in Color by Sybil Macbeth. I am still working on A Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs, and also in process is The Disciple-Making Church by Glenn MacDonald.
I ended up last year with Pontoon by Garrison Keillor, and Desperate Preacher's Wives by (I can't remember and passed the book on).
I have a couple others in process and hope I will actually finish them. Anne Lamott's is right up there (third in Traveling Mercies series).
I am flooded with Lenten projects and am at the overwhelmed stage although ideas are fairly solid and taking good form. Now, I have sit and type them into existence.
What I most want right now is a nap!!!!!! (and this at 10:55 am). Gonna be a long day working on my sermon.
Monday, January 14, 2008
RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - LAS MANNANITAS
The Birthday Friday five:
1. When is your birthday? Does anyone else (famous and/or in your own life) share
it?
February 18th. John Travolta
2. Do you prefer a big party or an intimate celebration for a chosen few?
Haven't really celebrated my birthday much in many years. Pretty quiet affairs with LH and a dinner out.
3. Describe your most memorable birthday(s) - good, bad or both.
There's been a few: When I turned 7, we moved on my birthday into a new house just 2 blocks up the same street. I didn't get party that year.
A few years ago, LH and I drove to Princeton Seminary on my birthday for a continuing ed seminar and spent the whole day in the car. Had dinner at a nice restaurant in Princeton and had a Hostess cupcake with a candle in it for my Birthday cake.
When I turned 41, my Dad was dying of lymphoma. I was in Chicago at my sister's where Dad was staying. My niece came in from college for a long weekend to be with the family. We three girls managed a to go for a nice luncheon at a tea place. I bought my sister a mug and she bought me one - same style, different design on it. To this day, I use that mug every Saturday morning! It was a sad birthday but also special that we three girls were together. It was hard to really celebrate when our hearts ached so about losing our beloved Dad. He died about 2 weeks later.
4. What is your favorite cake and ice cream? (Bonus points if you share teh cake recipe) Or would you rather have a different treat altogether?
That would be chocolate layer cake of some kind - Pepperidge Farm used to
have a frozen one that was quite good. And, of course, Chocolate Moose Tracks ice cream to go with it!!!
5. Surprise parties: love 'em or hate 'em?
Never had a surprise party. Gave some though. I guess it would be kinda fun to have a surprise party.
BONUS: Describe your ideal birthday - the sky's the limit?
I would enjoy champagne brunch with my whole family (LH, sister, BIL, niece and nephew).
On a more realistic note, just a day to sleep in, putter around, read, play with the camera, write, and just laze about. Then to have a nice dinner out with LH.
The Birthday Friday five:
1. When is your birthday? Does anyone else (famous and/or in your own life) share
it?
February 18th. John Travolta
2. Do you prefer a big party or an intimate celebration for a chosen few?
Haven't really celebrated my birthday much in many years. Pretty quiet affairs with LH and a dinner out.
3. Describe your most memorable birthday(s) - good, bad or both.
There's been a few: When I turned 7, we moved on my birthday into a new house just 2 blocks up the same street. I didn't get party that year.
A few years ago, LH and I drove to Princeton Seminary on my birthday for a continuing ed seminar and spent the whole day in the car. Had dinner at a nice restaurant in Princeton and had a Hostess cupcake with a candle in it for my Birthday cake.
When I turned 41, my Dad was dying of lymphoma. I was in Chicago at my sister's where Dad was staying. My niece came in from college for a long weekend to be with the family. We three girls managed a to go for a nice luncheon at a tea place. I bought my sister a mug and she bought me one - same style, different design on it. To this day, I use that mug every Saturday morning! It was a sad birthday but also special that we three girls were together. It was hard to really celebrate when our hearts ached so about losing our beloved Dad. He died about 2 weeks later.
4. What is your favorite cake and ice cream? (Bonus points if you share teh cake recipe) Or would you rather have a different treat altogether?
That would be chocolate layer cake of some kind - Pepperidge Farm used to
have a frozen one that was quite good. And, of course, Chocolate Moose Tracks ice cream to go with it!!!
5. Surprise parties: love 'em or hate 'em?
Never had a surprise party. Gave some though. I guess it would be kinda fun to have a surprise party.
BONUS: Describe your ideal birthday - the sky's the limit?
I would enjoy champagne brunch with my whole family (LH, sister, BIL, niece and nephew).
On a more realistic note, just a day to sleep in, putter around, read, play with the camera, write, and just laze about. Then to have a nice dinner out with LH.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
That Annoying Feeling of Inertia...
Don't know what is nor can I put my finger on it exactly, it's just annoying feeling of inertia I've had lately. So much that needs to be done, planned for Lent, Easter, etc. Confirmation class to prepare for, Annual Report due, Newsletter article coming up, another week and another sermon, Presbytery meeting on Saturday, Session meeting Sunday after worship with Presbytery liasons for Triennial visit, ughhh...and I just can't seem to move and get going. To top it all off, I can't find things: my confirmation books (they seemed to have just vanished into thin air), a folder from Presbytery gathering on Small, Strong churches, my retreat folder on grace, etc....
I just wanted to sleep yesterday, so tired. I did doze on the couch from 10:00 ish pm until nearly 11 pm and woke in time for the news!
Now that I finished my annual report, spoke with a neighboring pastor about our county Pres churchs' Lenten Soup Suppers and have an idea and ordered the book, I'm starting to feel more energy, only slowly.
I think that the Presbytery meeting is already draining me of energy - too much time sitting and hearing ones who like to talk talk. The shine has long worn off going to Presbytery meetings, it's more an obligation, chore and duty than it is a joy. If they could be just 9 am to noon, that would be great, but it ends up being all day plus travel time.
Will continue to pray and work at shaking off this inertia of heavy tiredness and acedia.
Don't know what is nor can I put my finger on it exactly, it's just annoying feeling of inertia I've had lately. So much that needs to be done, planned for Lent, Easter, etc. Confirmation class to prepare for, Annual Report due, Newsletter article coming up, another week and another sermon, Presbytery meeting on Saturday, Session meeting Sunday after worship with Presbytery liasons for Triennial visit, ughhh...and I just can't seem to move and get going. To top it all off, I can't find things: my confirmation books (they seemed to have just vanished into thin air), a folder from Presbytery gathering on Small, Strong churches, my retreat folder on grace, etc....
I just wanted to sleep yesterday, so tired. I did doze on the couch from 10:00 ish pm until nearly 11 pm and woke in time for the news!
Now that I finished my annual report, spoke with a neighboring pastor about our county Pres churchs' Lenten Soup Suppers and have an idea and ordered the book, I'm starting to feel more energy, only slowly.
I think that the Presbytery meeting is already draining me of energy - too much time sitting and hearing ones who like to talk talk. The shine has long worn off going to Presbytery meetings, it's more an obligation, chore and duty than it is a joy. If they could be just 9 am to noon, that would be great, but it ends up being all day plus travel time.
Will continue to pray and work at shaking off this inertia of heavy tiredness and acedia.
Monday, January 07, 2008
TO START THE NEW YEAR:
One of the first things I did in this New Year was to sew 2 fabric panels for our chancel area for Lent. Did you know there are only 3 Sundays in Ordinary time, 1 Transfiguration Sunday and it's Lent?!!!? This is a extremely short season.
Anyhow, the fabric panels are done and ready to be hung at the proper time. I also happened to find a pastel tie-dye print for the Easter season. It looks like the paper towel used to wipe the egg dipper after dipping/turning eggs in different colored dyes. The colors just bleed into each other in a beautiful pastel rainbow.
So, that will be the next big sewing project (actually the big part of it is the measuring, marking and pinning! The sewing is the easy part!)
Today, I will be making mini-cheddar meat loaves for 18-20 (actually the recipe makes 24) for the Rotary Dinner at the church tonight. The Confirmation class will be serving and cleaning up the dinner which each parent making one dish for the dinner. Yours truly, of course, felt compelled to do the meat entree. (With only 5 confirmands and 2 from the same family - it just didn't seem fair to ask them to do the main meat dish). So, there you go. What a fun way to spend the first Monday of the New Year - making 24 little meat loaves and obsessing over the dinner. This is from someone who usually only cooks for 2, sometimes for 4-5 and never more than 8.
My prayer is that all will be well and dinner will be served on time. I've lost sleep over this already.
Perhaps, I should merely focus on the opportunity to provide hospitality, food in the eating place and drink in the drinking place and let God take my worry about the rest.
I had this winter theme all selected for the table decorations: blue votive candles holders with snowflakes and winter snow sparkles on them, fake snow, glass
ice cubes and frosty snowflakes. The placemats are white with blue napkins that have a snowflake on them. Only problem is that it's over 60 degrees here today!!!!
Oh well...winter theme it will remain!
Happy first Monday of the New Year to you!
One of the first things I did in this New Year was to sew 2 fabric panels for our chancel area for Lent. Did you know there are only 3 Sundays in Ordinary time, 1 Transfiguration Sunday and it's Lent?!!!? This is a extremely short season.
Anyhow, the fabric panels are done and ready to be hung at the proper time. I also happened to find a pastel tie-dye print for the Easter season. It looks like the paper towel used to wipe the egg dipper after dipping/turning eggs in different colored dyes. The colors just bleed into each other in a beautiful pastel rainbow.
So, that will be the next big sewing project (actually the big part of it is the measuring, marking and pinning! The sewing is the easy part!)
Today, I will be making mini-cheddar meat loaves for 18-20 (actually the recipe makes 24) for the Rotary Dinner at the church tonight. The Confirmation class will be serving and cleaning up the dinner which each parent making one dish for the dinner. Yours truly, of course, felt compelled to do the meat entree. (With only 5 confirmands and 2 from the same family - it just didn't seem fair to ask them to do the main meat dish). So, there you go. What a fun way to spend the first Monday of the New Year - making 24 little meat loaves and obsessing over the dinner. This is from someone who usually only cooks for 2, sometimes for 4-5 and never more than 8.
My prayer is that all will be well and dinner will be served on time. I've lost sleep over this already.
Perhaps, I should merely focus on the opportunity to provide hospitality, food in the eating place and drink in the drinking place and let God take my worry about the rest.
I had this winter theme all selected for the table decorations: blue votive candles holders with snowflakes and winter snow sparkles on them, fake snow, glass
ice cubes and frosty snowflakes. The placemats are white with blue napkins that have a snowflake on them. Only problem is that it's over 60 degrees here today!!!!
Oh well...winter theme it will remain!
Happy first Monday of the New Year to you!
YOU KNOW THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS OVER WHEN...
1. The tree is slowly denuded of tinsel, ornaments and lights.
2. The naked tree is on the tree lawn.
3. The decorations are put away
4. The evergreen wreath on the front door changes to one with crystal ice sparkles
5. Most of the Christmas chocolate is eaten
6. The lime (for gin & tonics) has been cut down to a tiny knob of green
7. You take your glassware to the recycling bins and you count 5 wine bottles,
2 bottles of champagne and 1 spaghetti sauce bottle
8. The Christmas CD's go back in the holder
9. You're finishing the last of the Christmas paper towels and napkins
10. You sit among yards of purple fabric already focusing on Lent!
1. The tree is slowly denuded of tinsel, ornaments and lights.
2. The naked tree is on the tree lawn.
3. The decorations are put away
4. The evergreen wreath on the front door changes to one with crystal ice sparkles
5. Most of the Christmas chocolate is eaten
6. The lime (for gin & tonics) has been cut down to a tiny knob of green
7. You take your glassware to the recycling bins and you count 5 wine bottles,
2 bottles of champagne and 1 spaghetti sauce bottle
8. The Christmas CD's go back in the holder
9. You're finishing the last of the Christmas paper towels and napkins
10. You sit among yards of purple fabric already focusing on Lent!
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
BECOMING GODBEARERS
"In the fullness of time, God sent the Son." (Galatians 4:4)
"What good is it to me if the eternal birth of the divine Son
takes place unceasingly but does not take place within myself?
And what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace
if I am not also full of grace?
What good is it for the Creator to give birth to his Son
if I do not also give birth to him in my time and my culture?
This then is the fullness of time:
when the Son of God is begotten in us."
Meister Eckhart - 14th century
May Christ be born within you this Christmas.
And may you bear God to a world in need of Christ's light,love, life, peace, hope and joy.
"In the fullness of time, God sent the Son." (Galatians 4:4)
"What good is it to me if the eternal birth of the divine Son
takes place unceasingly but does not take place within myself?
And what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace
if I am not also full of grace?
What good is it for the Creator to give birth to his Son
if I do not also give birth to him in my time and my culture?
This then is the fullness of time:
when the Son of God is begotten in us."
Meister Eckhart - 14th century
May Christ be born within you this Christmas.
And may you bear God to a world in need of Christ's light,love, life, peace, hope and joy.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
FAVORITE THINGS MEME
Just happened by Cheesehead's place and yup, read her favorite things meme, and now I've been tagged. So we'll give it a whirl:
Swiss chocolate
my greyhounds - Ben & Jett
my sister
my husband
artwork
Vivaldi
Henri Nouwen
bookstores
black ink
hard back journals
spaetzli
rainbows
pools
my corner of the sofa
inspired ideas
retreats
chocolate chip cookies
good wine
water
the music of cowbells on an alp
moose
Taize worship
the way the lights on the Christmas tree color the ceiling
colored Easter eggs
Zopf - Swiss bread
boiled wool slippers
comfortable shoes
my van
my pillow
duvets
freshly fallen snow on trees and bushes
bluebirds
the hushed quiet when it snows
Christmas Eve
70-75 degree days
time to just be
warm towels out of the dryer
fresh herbs & tomatoes from my garden
sunsets
Have to end somewhere...may as well be with sunsets. Consider yourself tagged!
Just happened by Cheesehead's place and yup, read her favorite things meme, and now I've been tagged. So we'll give it a whirl:
Swiss chocolate
my greyhounds - Ben & Jett
my sister
my husband
artwork
Vivaldi
Henri Nouwen
bookstores
black ink
hard back journals
spaetzli
rainbows
pools
my corner of the sofa
inspired ideas
retreats
chocolate chip cookies
good wine
water
the music of cowbells on an alp
moose
Taize worship
the way the lights on the Christmas tree color the ceiling
colored Easter eggs
Zopf - Swiss bread
boiled wool slippers
comfortable shoes
my van
my pillow
duvets
freshly fallen snow on trees and bushes
bluebirds
the hushed quiet when it snows
Christmas Eve
70-75 degree days
time to just be
warm towels out of the dryer
fresh herbs & tomatoes from my garden
sunsets
Have to end somewhere...may as well be with sunsets. Consider yourself tagged!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
ADVENT PREPARATION UPDATE:
So far, I've completed three Advent services.
Attended an Advent Event
a youth group Christmas party
did the service at the Retirement home
made plenty hospital/nursing home visits
working on home visits
sorted and gift bagged all LH's staff gifts
sorted and gift bagged all my staff gifts
wrapped, packed and sent 4 Christmas boxes full of gifts
sent 22 German Christmas letters
sent 25 Christmas cards and letters
handed out 9 gift cards to needy families (and bought went to the store and bought the gift cards for the church)
working on Christmas Eve very short reflection
and finishing all the parts of the liturgy for the lay people on Dec. 30th:
offering invitation, prayer of dedication, benediction, prayers of the people
the Christmas tree is up au natur! No lights, no decorations, no nothing!!! Hoping the lights will go up to tonight. I will hang ornaments and tinsel the next couple of nights.
Still have family gifts to wrap up.
I am very, very tired!!!
I could...just...sleep....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
So far, I've completed three Advent services.
Attended an Advent Event
a youth group Christmas party
did the service at the Retirement home
made plenty hospital/nursing home visits
working on home visits
sorted and gift bagged all LH's staff gifts
sorted and gift bagged all my staff gifts
wrapped, packed and sent 4 Christmas boxes full of gifts
sent 22 German Christmas letters
sent 25 Christmas cards and letters
handed out 9 gift cards to needy families (and bought went to the store and bought the gift cards for the church)
working on Christmas Eve very short reflection
and finishing all the parts of the liturgy for the lay people on Dec. 30th:
offering invitation, prayer of dedication, benediction, prayers of the people
the Christmas tree is up au natur! No lights, no decorations, no nothing!!! Hoping the lights will go up to tonight. I will hang ornaments and tinsel the next couple of nights.
Still have family gifts to wrap up.
I am very, very tired!!!
I could...just...sleep....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Monday, December 10, 2007
MACHO-MARTYR MINISTER JUST DOESN'T WORK!
YIPPEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My computer came back today! All clean and fresh-faced from having it's clock cleaned!!!
Now, perhaps I can settle into Advent and get all my services together.
Between all the folks in the hospital and no computer, it's been...well...better not say!
Last Tuesday the heat went out in the offices and I froze since it was such a bitterly cold day. Heating folks can't make it out til Wed. morning.
Had Christmas Lunch with the Women's Association at a restaurant. I was glad for the drive so I could crank up the heat in the van. Was still cold at the restaurant and had a cup of coffee just to warm up. It worked!!!
On Wednesday, still no heat and cold and snowy. Arrived at the church to see footprints up the stairs to the door by the kitchen. Door was unlocked, boots and jacket on the floor and beautiful sounds from the sanctuary piano. School was cancelled due to the snowy morning and gifted HS student was practicing piano - all morning!!!
Shoveled the 2 sets of stairs and sidewalk out front. (Our custodian has a near full-time job with Friday and weekends off. He has to be at work very early in am so we have no one here to shovel during the week!) Went to spread salt, the bucket was next to empty with barely a handful. The shovel I used was old and beat up.
A trip to the local Hardware store was immanent. The Red Cross Bloodmobile was that day at 1 pm and they arrive at 11 am to set up.
By now I have held off going to the Hardware store still waiting for the heating company to arrive. Just as I told piano student what to tell the furnace guy and walked out the door and down the steps who should arrive? Yup, furnace guy. Tell him the offices have no heat and I have to get to the Hardware store.
Trip to Hardware store to get new shovel and 50 lbs of ice melt. They load it in my car. The ice melt bag is not nearly as big as a 40 bag of dog food or a big bag of fertilizer. I think I can handle it! I'm showing off, that a woman pastor can do what a male pastor can do. (Sinner that I am and stupid as I am!!) I actually get the bag up the steps and to the door. Can't open the door with the bag. Set bag down, open door, use big butt to hold door open, lift, twist and plop bag over threshold. Cut bag open, dump into bucket. Now go sprinkle ice melt at all doorways and down steps.
As soon as I had the bag over the threshold who tromps up the inside steps? The furnace guy!! Where was he 10 seconds ago, when he could've helped me? Igniter is burnt out, will check his van for a new part. Of course, doesn't have the right part, returns to company and will be back.
Red Cross arrives. I take off for my monthly clergy lunch. I am so ready for lunch and to get away from a very crazy morning. Lunch is good.
Drive in the clear opposite direction to make a hospital visit. Good visit.
Decide to return an extra book from the Mainline Christian bookstore in this town. I had already tried to return it once before, on a Saturday, with holiday shopping traffic in this shopping mecca of this part of OH, and there was an accident on the street of the bookstore. No traffic was moving for 20 minutes. (I gave up, turned around and went home by another way!!)This time I made it and instead of having credit in my account, found two other books and bought them.
Went home and called it a day!!!
Some days just make you wonder why you're a minister?
The weird thing that happened ocurred after dinner, when my knee (the one I had torn the quad muscle off two years ago) began to hurt, pull and feel tight like it did 2 years ago. I took some medication and had to be careful with it for three days. It hasn't ever hurt like that for 2 years. I surmise it was trying to be a macho martyr of a pastor and tried hauling that 50 lbs. of ice melt.
Lesson learned - it doesn't pay to show off, or brag or try to be a macho martyr pastor. Ask for help next time! Believe me, I will!!!!!
Hope this week will find me infinitely more productive and less stupid and sinful!
Hope springs up from within and without, especially in Advent!
YIPPEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My computer came back today! All clean and fresh-faced from having it's clock cleaned!!!
Now, perhaps I can settle into Advent and get all my services together.
Between all the folks in the hospital and no computer, it's been...well...better not say!
Last Tuesday the heat went out in the offices and I froze since it was such a bitterly cold day. Heating folks can't make it out til Wed. morning.
Had Christmas Lunch with the Women's Association at a restaurant. I was glad for the drive so I could crank up the heat in the van. Was still cold at the restaurant and had a cup of coffee just to warm up. It worked!!!
On Wednesday, still no heat and cold and snowy. Arrived at the church to see footprints up the stairs to the door by the kitchen. Door was unlocked, boots and jacket on the floor and beautiful sounds from the sanctuary piano. School was cancelled due to the snowy morning and gifted HS student was practicing piano - all morning!!!
Shoveled the 2 sets of stairs and sidewalk out front. (Our custodian has a near full-time job with Friday and weekends off. He has to be at work very early in am so we have no one here to shovel during the week!) Went to spread salt, the bucket was next to empty with barely a handful. The shovel I used was old and beat up.
A trip to the local Hardware store was immanent. The Red Cross Bloodmobile was that day at 1 pm and they arrive at 11 am to set up.
By now I have held off going to the Hardware store still waiting for the heating company to arrive. Just as I told piano student what to tell the furnace guy and walked out the door and down the steps who should arrive? Yup, furnace guy. Tell him the offices have no heat and I have to get to the Hardware store.
Trip to Hardware store to get new shovel and 50 lbs of ice melt. They load it in my car. The ice melt bag is not nearly as big as a 40 bag of dog food or a big bag of fertilizer. I think I can handle it! I'm showing off, that a woman pastor can do what a male pastor can do. (Sinner that I am and stupid as I am!!) I actually get the bag up the steps and to the door. Can't open the door with the bag. Set bag down, open door, use big butt to hold door open, lift, twist and plop bag over threshold. Cut bag open, dump into bucket. Now go sprinkle ice melt at all doorways and down steps.
As soon as I had the bag over the threshold who tromps up the inside steps? The furnace guy!! Where was he 10 seconds ago, when he could've helped me? Igniter is burnt out, will check his van for a new part. Of course, doesn't have the right part, returns to company and will be back.
Red Cross arrives. I take off for my monthly clergy lunch. I am so ready for lunch and to get away from a very crazy morning. Lunch is good.
Drive in the clear opposite direction to make a hospital visit. Good visit.
Decide to return an extra book from the Mainline Christian bookstore in this town. I had already tried to return it once before, on a Saturday, with holiday shopping traffic in this shopping mecca of this part of OH, and there was an accident on the street of the bookstore. No traffic was moving for 20 minutes. (I gave up, turned around and went home by another way!!)This time I made it and instead of having credit in my account, found two other books and bought them.
Went home and called it a day!!!
Some days just make you wonder why you're a minister?
The weird thing that happened ocurred after dinner, when my knee (the one I had torn the quad muscle off two years ago) began to hurt, pull and feel tight like it did 2 years ago. I took some medication and had to be careful with it for three days. It hasn't ever hurt like that for 2 years. I surmise it was trying to be a macho martyr of a pastor and tried hauling that 50 lbs. of ice melt.
Lesson learned - it doesn't pay to show off, or brag or try to be a macho martyr pastor. Ask for help next time! Believe me, I will!!!!!
Hope this week will find me infinitely more productive and less stupid and sinful!
Hope springs up from within and without, especially in Advent!
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE ON TUESDAY! - LEAST HOLIDAY FAVORITE:
Please tell us your least favorite/most annoying seasonal:
1. dessert/cookie/family food
Has to be fruitcake, the candied fruit makes me shudder
2. beverage (seasonal beer, eggnog with way too much egg and not enough nogg, etc...)
eggnog, I'm just not a fan of it
3. tradition (church, family, other)
getting together with in-laws, not that thrilling
4. decoration
plastic Santas and Snowmen, etc. How tacky!
5. gift (received or given)
Outrageous socks with bizaare colors and circle mirror sequins on it that
I received from a friend. Totally tasteless and so not me! (Maybe it was a
regift!!!)
Bonus: Song/CD that makes you want to tell the elves where to stick it
Barking Jingle Bells - how obnoxious is that?!!? And I'm a dog lover!!
Please tell us your least favorite/most annoying seasonal:
1. dessert/cookie/family food
Has to be fruitcake, the candied fruit makes me shudder
2. beverage (seasonal beer, eggnog with way too much egg and not enough nogg, etc...)
eggnog, I'm just not a fan of it
3. tradition (church, family, other)
getting together with in-laws, not that thrilling
4. decoration
plastic Santas and Snowmen, etc. How tacky!
5. gift (received or given)
Outrageous socks with bizaare colors and circle mirror sequins on it that
I received from a friend. Totally tasteless and so not me! (Maybe it was a
regift!!!)
Bonus: Song/CD that makes you want to tell the elves where to stick it
Barking Jingle Bells - how obnoxious is that?!!? And I'm a dog lover!!
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