On the Road Again

Here we go again. In the next week and a half I will:
- Hope and wish for all the best for my best friend's mom, being remarried on Saturday It will be wonderful and joyous- Josy's new stepdad is great guy - but it will also be just a touch bittersweet. Luke and I were close with Josy's dad, who died a few years ago, and we miss him too. But Josy's mom couldn't have found a nicer guy. Blessings and good wishes for them!

-Remember how to be a camp counselor!Its been four years since I was at camp, but with seven years of camp staff before that, I'm hoping I'll get right back into the swing of things. I can't find my markers though- thats a bit unnerving. Thanks goodness for pre-camp Target shopping trips, and for old camp friends who remind you about them!

-Drive a whole lotI'm getting to know my car very well lately. I've never been one for naming my car, but we're spending so much time together, I feel our relationship could jump another level.

I will miss y'all while I'm gone!

The Obvious and Not-So-Obvious

Obvious: The ordinations were great in Mississippi. Jeff and Bill both look great in their collars. It was wonderful to see them, Catharine and Sydney the dog. Also, I got to meet David and his lovely wife, and one of the kids. It was all around a good thing, and the Church is a richer place for its two new deacons.

Not so Obvious: I told someone I would get them a Captain Obvious shirt for Awards Night this year, and I forgot. So, I decided to do a Google search for "Captian Obvious tshirt"- I figured that a picture of one might suffice. In the process, I found this story: Stuff that Happenend to Thing #5 - Part 13: Attack of the Killer Pacifists. I have no idea where it came from or why its there. But its funny.

Southland in the Springtime

So, I doubt it feels like spring in Mississippi right now, but Luke and I are headed down South anyway, to watch Bishop Gray make some deacons! Specifically, my former neighbor Sacristan Jeff, and Out-of-the-Box Bill. It will be a glorious weekend, even if it is bookended by 12 hours of driving each way.
In other news, NYTimes.com posted the article this morning: Scientists Teleport Not Kirk, but an Atom. How cool is that? Basically, the can take the characteristics of one atom and project them onto another. The scientists say that this is likely impossible to do with humans. But 100 years ago, who would've thought it was possible for an atom? I can't wait to get me a transporter!

Pistons 100, Lakers 87!

Luke is a happy camper.

What I Did With My Summer Vacation, Part 1

What are you really looking forward to this summer? That was the subject of discussion at our dinner last night (sidebar: Ethiopian Diamond is a fantabulous restaurant!), with friends of Luke's from school. Asking people what they're excited about is a great ice breaker- my husband is awfully smart that way. So, here are a couple of my answers for today. First, Luke and I are going down to Mississippi for a couple of ordinations this weekend. The second floor is a very lonely place without our southern neighbors, so I'm really looking forward to the trip. The next weekend, Luke and I head to Michigan. We'll be helping out with a Leaders-In-Training program at a camp near Mackinac. The director is an old friend, and I'm really excited to be working with her. I'll be leading Bible study and some worship, and Luke will be doing some teambuilding and workshops. We're using a book called Learning Leadership by Michael Brandwein. I like what he has to say: Leadership is really a set of skills, and those skills can be taught, developed, learned. He is not a fan of "gifts" language however, basically because it a) doesn't give credit to the hard development work most leaders do, and keeps us from stuyding that development and b) it lets the rest of us off the hook... if we aren't already leaders, it must be because its just not our gift. I think Christian leadership really needs to be able to talk about gifts, without falling into those traps. The younger kids at the camp will have a Baptismal Covenant theme. I'm going to try and tie all this in together. Thoughts, ideas, and prayers from the peanut gallery are always appreciated.
Enough from my report. What is everyone else looking forward to this summer?

Hometown Happenings

So, its been a really long time. And I don't even mean since I blogged last! I am sitting on our couch watching Game 4 of the NBA Finals with Luke. My basketball-fan husband tells me its been 14 years since the Pistons were last in the finals. Then he ususally quizzes me on who the star players were. (Isaiah Thomas, Joe Dumars.. I forget the rest.) Anyway, much to Frank's disappointment, the Pistons are up in the series 2-1 at this point. We'll see where we are at the end of the night. Here is an interesting conundrum about the game though: Before the tipoff, Kid Rock came out to sing in the National Anthem singing part. Except, he didn't sing the National Anthem, he sang "America The Beautiful". Now, I happen to think that "America The Beautiful" is a really great song, and would be a better national anthem than the "Star-Spangled Banner". Why the switch? I'm confuzzled, but still cheering for the Pistons!!

(Apparently, the song-switch was good luck! Pistons beat the Lakers 88-80!)

The Race Set Before Us

I am not sure if the race is ending or beginning, but something big happened today. Seabury Class of 2004 graduated. It was a glorious ceremony with streamers, organ, processionals, tears, hugs and smiles. And, everyone got the hood they were supposed to get, I might add! I have been blessed beyond measure by those of you who will be leaving Seabury- graduates, family, faculty and staff who are moving on. I suppose its only fair to have share such wondeful people with everyone else. There are new races to run with perseverance, and new people to love. And life goes on... I have a sermon to write, a bag to pack, and a gathering to attend. Ob-lah-di, Ob-lah-da!

Times They Are A Changin

Another academic year at Seabury is done, except for the whole commencement business. Busy-ness? Either one I suppose. I am a big person for closure and ritual, so I'm looking forward to commencement. The last week has been good in this way too. Last Thursday was Awards Night. During the beautiful and wonderfully-planned service, I received the W. Taylor Stevenson Award in Contemporary Theology. You can read it here, if you'd like. I was able to pass on my John Calvin (Low Church) award and Martha Stewart Award, reincarnated as the Fab Five Award, during the sillines that followed the beautiful service. All in all, it was a jolly good time. Then last night, I was able to be a cantor with http://janellen.blogspot.com/ while our AngloBaptist friend officiated at the last Evensong of the year, and the Librarian read the Scripture. It was beautiful, a gift, and God was glorified. And, I don't believe for a second that it is the last Evensong the Anglobaptist will officiate. Today I get continued closure on the year: Bossing around the graduates at rehearsal! Fun is such an important part of closure.