How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given
How God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of all heaven
No ear may hear his coming
but in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive him still
The dear Christ enters in
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Blessed Nativity
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given
How God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of all heaven
No ear may hear his coming
but in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive him still
The dear Christ enters in
Friday, December 21, 2007
Christmastime is Here...
Happiness and cheer...
Fun for all, the children call...
And that's all I remember of that song right now. So instead of Peanuts Christmas songs, how about we try this week's Friday Five, from Rev HRod?
1. What was one of your favorite childhood gifts that you gave?
My favorite thing to give as a kid was a plate of Christmas cookies. My mom would put together cookies for a bunch of our neighbor friends, and then I'd go around and deliver them. Sometimes a few of us would go, and we'd sing a Christmas carol too.
2. What is one of your favorite Christmas recipes? Bonus points if you share the recipe with us.
When I was very little, and my grandma was still alive and traveling, my grandparents would bring Cuban treats for Christmas. My favorite was guava paste - it came in a brick, with a strip of guava jelly on top. Here is the recipe: Cut a thin piece of guava paste. Put it on a Club cracker with cream cheese. Eat until you pass out from the sugar coma.
3. What is a tradition that your family can't do without? (And by family, I mean family of origin, family of adulthood, or that bunch of cool people that just feel like family.)
The order we do presents and stuff... it would just be odd to change it! First we do stockings, which always have an orange in them. Then we take our oranges and go eat breakfast - a cinnamon roll coffee cake thing my mom's been doing for years. Then, finally, we open presents under the tree.
4. Pastors and other church folk often have very strange traditions dictated by the "work" of the holidays. What happens at your place?
I don't think I've been in this ordained life long enough to figure that out. My first year, another family with a clergy dad (who's youngest son is a good friend) invited us over in between early and late services. This year, we'll be joining another clergy family for in-between services dinner too... so I guess thats becoming a tradition that I'd love to continue.
5. If you could just ditch all the traditions and do something unexpected... what would it be?
Leave the crazy snow behind and go to Puerto Rico. My husband has always wanted to visit.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Amen (Sung, of course)
Do y'all ever look at the Christian Century's blog? I only look once a week or so, but a headline from last week caught my eye. Check out Jason Byasee's piece on Singing Clergy. Its very short and very true.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
The Whys
Today is entirely a day off, and I'm happy for that. Instead of making lunch or getting to that laundry that is still in the suitcase from a conference last week, I'm reading blogs. And in doing so, I'm remembering why I love this blogiverse, even if I don't write so often anymore.
Blogs make me laugh out loud so that my husband gives me funny looks.Like this piece from Preacher Mom.
Sometimes, blogs give words to stuff I've been wondering about. Or, they share poet's words that I wanted to hear, like this Rumi writing from Ladyburg.
Often blogs make me cry, like PPB's witness of grief. Or, for tears of joy, Reverend Mother's newly-expanded family pictures!
Today, I'm celebrating blogs.
Blogs make me laugh out loud so that my husband gives me funny looks.Like this piece from Preacher Mom.
Sometimes, blogs give words to stuff I've been wondering about. Or, they share poet's words that I wanted to hear, like this Rumi writing from Ladyburg.
Often blogs make me cry, like PPB's witness of grief. Or, for tears of joy, Reverend Mother's newly-expanded family pictures!
Today, I'm celebrating blogs.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Leftovers Friday Five
This week's questions are brought to us by Singing Owl and the letters P and T, for Post-Thanksgiving!
1. Did you go elsewhere for the day, or did you have visitors at your place instead? How was it?
We went down to my mom's house, which was nice. She hosted a couple international students from the local university, so we totaled out at 6 people.
2. Main course: If it was the turkey, the whole turkey, and nothing but the turkey, was it prepared in an unusual way? Or did you throw tradition to the winds and do something different?
The turkey was pretty much straight-up turkey, though my mom found one at Whole Foods that is bred to be smaller - helpful, when we were at one point only expecting 4 people! Our dinner is usually traditional with a few twists: mashed potatoes, two kinds of stuffing (one with apples, one with something else), green beans cooked with parmesan, pine nuts, and carmelized onions (think gourmet version of green bean casserole), homemade cranberry jelly, salad with dried cranberries and honey-roasted almonds, and pumpkin pie. You can see why going to Mom's is such a good idea...
3. Other than the meal, do you have any Thanksgiving customs that you observe every year?
We mostly just hang out. Usually we watch at least part of the Lions game, and usually they lose. This year was no exception to any of that.
4. The day after Thanksgiving is considered a major Christmas shopping day by most US retailers. Do you go out bargain hunting and shop ‘till you drop, or do you stay indoors with the blinds closed? Or something in between?
We did some shopping, but Christmas shopping. More like "we have a whole day to get stuff done, lets go get some things" shopping. If you wait til mid-afternoon, the crowds aren't bad.
5. Let the HOLIDAY SEASON commence! When will your Christmas decorations go up?
Probably not for a couple weeks, until after Luke's term is over. Though, two of the nativity sets I've recently added to my collection are already on the mantle. The tree and lights and the other dozen nativities will come soon enough!
1. Did you go elsewhere for the day, or did you have visitors at your place instead? How was it?
We went down to my mom's house, which was nice. She hosted a couple international students from the local university, so we totaled out at 6 people.
2. Main course: If it was the turkey, the whole turkey, and nothing but the turkey, was it prepared in an unusual way? Or did you throw tradition to the winds and do something different?
The turkey was pretty much straight-up turkey, though my mom found one at Whole Foods that is bred to be smaller - helpful, when we were at one point only expecting 4 people! Our dinner is usually traditional with a few twists: mashed potatoes, two kinds of stuffing (one with apples, one with something else), green beans cooked with parmesan, pine nuts, and carmelized onions (think gourmet version of green bean casserole), homemade cranberry jelly, salad with dried cranberries and honey-roasted almonds, and pumpkin pie. You can see why going to Mom's is such a good idea...
3. Other than the meal, do you have any Thanksgiving customs that you observe every year?
We mostly just hang out. Usually we watch at least part of the Lions game, and usually they lose. This year was no exception to any of that.
4. The day after Thanksgiving is considered a major Christmas shopping day by most US retailers. Do you go out bargain hunting and shop ‘till you drop, or do you stay indoors with the blinds closed? Or something in between?
We did some shopping, but Christmas shopping. More like "we have a whole day to get stuff done, lets go get some things" shopping. If you wait til mid-afternoon, the crowds aren't bad.
5. Let the HOLIDAY SEASON commence! When will your Christmas decorations go up?
Probably not for a couple weeks, until after Luke's term is over. Though, two of the nativity sets I've recently added to my collection are already on the mantle. The tree and lights and the other dozen nativities will come soon enough!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Sick Day Amusement
I've had a cold for two weeks now, but also a lot on my work agenda. Today, being the day before Thanksgiving and all, my pressing agenda items are complete, and I'm staying in bed. Sick days always sounds like they'll be fun, but really, when coughing fits interrupt you every few minutes, its less exciting. Luckily, the blog doesn't mind coughing breaks.
Yesterday was a day of mailings and copies. We have a great copier at my far-away office. Still, it has one feature that drives me crazy. When you press the "clear" button - it doesn't actually clear the settings! I'm not really sure what the function of the button is. Maybe there is some computer screen in another state that keeps going blank everytime I hit that little c. All I know is that if your previous job was 15 double-sided stapled copies, and you hit clear, and then try and run one copy, you'll get 15 sets anyway.
Happily, the comic people at toothpaste for dinner like copiers about as much as I do.
toothpastefordinner.com
Yesterday was a day of mailings and copies. We have a great copier at my far-away office. Still, it has one feature that drives me crazy. When you press the "clear" button - it doesn't actually clear the settings! I'm not really sure what the function of the button is. Maybe there is some computer screen in another state that keeps going blank everytime I hit that little c. All I know is that if your previous job was 15 double-sided stapled copies, and you hit clear, and then try and run one copy, you'll get 15 sets anyway.
Happily, the comic people at toothpaste for dinner like copiers about as much as I do.
toothpastefordinner.com
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Clergy Day Quote
"The problem in America is that people borrow money they don't have, to buy things they don't need, to keep up with people they don't even like." - Will Rogers
And last night's How I Met Your Mother was all about massive credit card debt. This week seems to have a theme.
And last night's How I Met Your Mother was all about massive credit card debt. This week seems to have a theme.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Dinner for One
Put a cup and half of water and about 3/4 of a cup of oats and a pinch of salt into a pot with a lid. Be careful not to mix up the amounts for water and oats, or you'll be confused and have to start over. I'm just sayin. Anyway, bring to a boil and stir until its just a little thinner than you'd like. While that happens, toast some almonds. I like the slivered ones because they are easy to chop. When the oatmeal is almost done, stir in a spoonful or two of raspberry jam. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and a little brown sugar.
Sit and eat, and think about the great day you had: a full church with nine baptisms, your new goddaughter, her fabulous parents, her awesome twin brother and his supercool godparents, and how fun brunch is when all those people are in the same place.
Enjoy the quiet of your own house, especially since you broke your cell phone so no one can call you anyway, enjoy watching your football-boyfriend beat the Colts again, enjoy your Sunday night tv that your husband wouldn't ever watch. Appreciate the fact that your dinner is good for you, and isn't pizza, unlike five of the meals you had the previous three days.
Really though, after the brown sugar part, do whatever would make you as relaxed as I'm feeling tonight.
Sit and eat, and think about the great day you had: a full church with nine baptisms, your new goddaughter, her fabulous parents, her awesome twin brother and his supercool godparents, and how fun brunch is when all those people are in the same place.
Enjoy the quiet of your own house, especially since you broke your cell phone so no one can call you anyway, enjoy watching your football-boyfriend beat the Colts again, enjoy your Sunday night tv that your husband wouldn't ever watch. Appreciate the fact that your dinner is good for you, and isn't pizza, unlike five of the meals you had the previous three days.
Really though, after the brown sugar part, do whatever would make you as relaxed as I'm feeling tonight.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Reading with the Sisters
Why is it that I always end up with the refrain for Manic Monday in my head at the beginning of the week?
If you are, like me, feeling a bit overwhelmed or isolated or wanting to something to read or are interested in the stories of young women clergy or know a young woman who is or may be clergy... then you've got to check out Fidelia's Sisters, the new-this-month ezine of the Young Clergy Women Project. I've already used some of this material in a sermon!
In case you're busy right now though, I've added the link over on the side, you can come back tomorrow.
If you are, like me, feeling a bit overwhelmed or isolated or wanting to something to read or are interested in the stories of young women clergy or know a young woman who is or may be clergy... then you've got to check out Fidelia's Sisters, the new-this-month ezine of the Young Clergy Women Project. I've already used some of this material in a sermon!
In case you're busy right now though, I've added the link over on the side, you can come back tomorrow.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Friday Five, Can't Resist Top Chef Edition
I love Top Chef. I've watched all three seasons start to finish. (Sam from season 2 is my favorite, though Casey from season 3 is also fabulous).
So... I had to jump in and play the Top Chef Friday Five! Thanks, RevHrod!
1. If you were a food, what would you be?
Ice cream. Because I love it so much, I'm surprised I haven't turned into a pint of Ben & Jerry's yet!
2. What is one of the most memorable meals you ever had? And where?
We put a lot of thought into choosing the food for our wedding. We had some food outside at a kind of cocktail reception, then a platter of grilled vegetables on the table when people came to sit down. The vegetarian entree (which we both had ) was a filo purse with artichokes, tomatoes, zucchini, feta, maybe some other vegetables, with a tomato sauce. We used a local caterer who grows most of her own produce and emphasizes fresh local ingredients. The food was amazing, and having a fabulous dinner together was a wonderful way to start our marriage.
3. What is your favorite comfort food from childhood?
My friend Sandy & I loved to cook together, and whenever she spent the night we would make the same thing for ourselves: Hot Dog Macaroni Casserole. You cook elbow macaroni in a pot, drain it, and rinse with cold water. In the meantime, you cook sliced hot dogs, a can of tomato soup, chilli powder and maybe some onions? in a skillet. Then, add the macaroni. The recipe also called for a can of corn, but alwasy skipped that part. We loved it then, but I'm not so sure I'd still eat it.
4. When going to a church potluck, what one recipe from your kitchen is sure to be a hit?
Happily, I have a few of these. My easiest one is tropical fruit salad - canned pineapple chunks, canned mandarin orange segments, chunks of kiwi, and strawberries tossed in just enough lemon yogurt to coat them. I've also done couscous with nuts and dried fruit, where you cook the couscous in orange juice instead of water.
5. What’s the strangest thing you ever willingly ate?
I had this dried octopus snack once, from Japan. A friend in middle school gave it to me to try and wouldn't tell me what it was. I didn't like it much - it was really chewy, and I'm just not a fan of that texture.
Bonus question: What’s your favorite drink to order when looking forward to a great meal? Hmm... something light, so I have room and tastebuds left for the food - G&T is always a good choice!
So... I had to jump in and play the Top Chef Friday Five! Thanks, RevHrod!
1. If you were a food, what would you be?
Ice cream. Because I love it so much, I'm surprised I haven't turned into a pint of Ben & Jerry's yet!
2. What is one of the most memorable meals you ever had? And where?
We put a lot of thought into choosing the food for our wedding. We had some food outside at a kind of cocktail reception, then a platter of grilled vegetables on the table when people came to sit down. The vegetarian entree (which we both had ) was a filo purse with artichokes, tomatoes, zucchini, feta, maybe some other vegetables, with a tomato sauce. We used a local caterer who grows most of her own produce and emphasizes fresh local ingredients. The food was amazing, and having a fabulous dinner together was a wonderful way to start our marriage.
3. What is your favorite comfort food from childhood?
My friend Sandy & I loved to cook together, and whenever she spent the night we would make the same thing for ourselves: Hot Dog Macaroni Casserole. You cook elbow macaroni in a pot, drain it, and rinse with cold water. In the meantime, you cook sliced hot dogs, a can of tomato soup, chilli powder and maybe some onions? in a skillet. Then, add the macaroni. The recipe also called for a can of corn, but alwasy skipped that part. We loved it then, but I'm not so sure I'd still eat it.
4. When going to a church potluck, what one recipe from your kitchen is sure to be a hit?
Happily, I have a few of these. My easiest one is tropical fruit salad - canned pineapple chunks, canned mandarin orange segments, chunks of kiwi, and strawberries tossed in just enough lemon yogurt to coat them. I've also done couscous with nuts and dried fruit, where you cook the couscous in orange juice instead of water.
5. What’s the strangest thing you ever willingly ate?
I had this dried octopus snack once, from Japan. A friend in middle school gave it to me to try and wouldn't tell me what it was. I didn't like it much - it was really chewy, and I'm just not a fan of that texture.
Bonus question: What’s your favorite drink to order when looking forward to a great meal? Hmm... something light, so I have room and tastebuds left for the food - G&T is always a good choice!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Day Off Serenity
My new sabbath slogan?
Brought to you by the letter Firefly.
Take us out of the world, Wash. There's crime to be done.
Brought to you by the letter Firefly.
Monday, October 08, 2007
'Tis Better to Give...
Dave played a game, and its popping up in some other places too.
He says "By the end of the calendar year, I will send a tangible, physcal gift to each of the first five people to comment here, so long as each of those five people are willing to make the same offer in their own LJ or blog."
I'm tired of credit card offers and bills in my mailbox, so I'm playing! Leave a comment, and let the gift party begin!
He says "By the end of the calendar year, I will send a tangible, physcal gift to each of the first five people to comment here, so long as each of those five people are willing to make the same offer in their own LJ or blog."
I'm tired of credit card offers and bills in my mailbox, so I'm playing! Leave a comment, and let the gift party begin!
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Calling Californians!
My best friend has started a theatre company in Contra Costa county. Let me tell you - she is talented and fabulous, and you will love this play. So, if you live in a 500-mile radius or so, check out the Hapgood Theatre Company's debut show, A Moon for the Misbegotten, opening in Antioch, CA this week!
Here is one of the spiffy articles about her new project: O'Neill Classic is theater troupe's first effort
Here is one of the spiffy articles about her new project: O'Neill Classic is theater troupe's first effort
Monday, October 01, 2007
29 is such a liminal number
It seems to be the kind of age where I'm...
Young enough to still think one of the major perks of being a grown-up is getting to have ice cream for dinner...
... and old enough to get to have it too!
Old enough to know that 29 is a prime number...
... and young enough to still think its kinda geeky to think a prime birthday is cool.
Old enough to have a husband of five years, a masters degree and my second position in my chosen field, and a house that we own...
... but young enough to sometimes wonder when the real grown-ups will come and tell me to make my bed, do my homework, and eat my veggies.
Old enough to have some ideas about what I don't want to be and do in life
... but young enough that the possible choices still seem pretty wide open.
Old enough to be married to a handsome man, who happens to have a few gray hairs...
... and old enough to be glad its him, not me!
Young enough to giggle when I think of us as the Rev & Dr Us...
... and old enough that that reality is getting wonderfully close.
Young enough to have lots of great friends...
... and old enough to know how lucky that makes me.
Young enough to advertise my own birthday...
... but old enough to at least turn it into a blog post!
Young enough to still think one of the major perks of being a grown-up is getting to have ice cream for dinner...
... and old enough to get to have it too!
Old enough to know that 29 is a prime number...
... and young enough to still think its kinda geeky to think a prime birthday is cool.
Old enough to have a husband of five years, a masters degree and my second position in my chosen field, and a house that we own...
... but young enough to sometimes wonder when the real grown-ups will come and tell me to make my bed, do my homework, and eat my veggies.
Old enough to have some ideas about what I don't want to be and do in life
... but young enough that the possible choices still seem pretty wide open.
Old enough to be married to a handsome man, who happens to have a few gray hairs...
... and old enough to be glad its him, not me!
Young enough to giggle when I think of us as the Rev & Dr Us...
... and old enough that that reality is getting wonderfully close.
Young enough to have lots of great friends...
... and old enough to know how lucky that makes me.
Young enough to advertise my own birthday...
... but old enough to at least turn it into a blog post!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Ah, teh Internets
Todd may be one of the only people who I would let tell me this joke.
"How many batteries does it take to shock a Wolverine?"
Answer: One double-A.
Ha, ha, ha. Really though, I have no idea what he's talking about. I thought our season opener against Notre Dame was a good showing!
And in other fantasy lands, this is a video for all of you Sesame Street fans.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Point of View
Did you know that the fear of heights is one of the top ten phobias in the country? According to some website at least - but given some of my friends I'm not surprised. Heights aren't so much my issue, most of the time, as small enclosed spaces. In fact, I love heights and views. On our first trip together, Luke and I went to Chicago, to the top of the Sears tower. We read the posters about the skyline that now says home, and watched the sun set over the city. When we did move there, thanks to an awesome tip from my mom, the Hancock Tower bar became one of our favorite places to take visiting friends.
Being up high, looking down on a place that is familiar or not, gives me a sense of wonder about the world below. I point and look and find landmarks I recognize. I think about the little itty bitty people I can see, and wonder what their days will hold. It is the best getaway that I have found.
This summer we added a few more of these perspectives to our memories: here we are at the top of the dome of St. Peter's in Vatican City. The tightly-wound, old, narrow, anxiety-creating 320 or so steps were worth it.
Being up high, looking down on a place that is familiar or not, gives me a sense of wonder about the world below. I point and look and find landmarks I recognize. I think about the little itty bitty people I can see, and wonder what their days will hold. It is the best getaway that I have found.
This summer we added a few more of these perspectives to our memories: here we are at the top of the dome of St. Peter's in Vatican City. The tightly-wound, old, narrow, anxiety-creating 320 or so steps were worth it.
What I did on my summer vacation was find a bit of my perspective.Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Pondering
Have you ever played guitar? If so, then you know that there are more hands in this picture that are.. well, normal.You see, after graduation last summer, we were hanging out and someone thought itd be a good idea to put a guitar in Luke's hands so we could all sing. You know, your average weekend on the back porch kind of sing-a-long: John Denver, Indigo Girls, Guns N Roses. The only problem was that we decided we wanted to sing a song that needed a capo, and sadly, Tripp had misplaced his capo. Being a creative bunch, we improvised: This is the picture of my friend Les being a human capo, while my Luke plays Closer to Fine.
What's a capo, you say? I'm so glad you asked that. A capo is a little contraption that hooks onto the neck of the guitar. Sometimes they're fancy with levers and clips and stuff, othertimes, they're really plain - bars with rubber bands. Essentially, it changes the basic key of the instrument, so that you can play the same chords but in a range that people might be able to join into the music.
In my new job, on good days, I feel a bit like that: that I am serving as a human capo, transposing programs and ideas and generational differences so that everyone can sing the Gospel in a key they can reach. Its great work, fun and creative, but also a bit sloppy as I try to get organized, build up those callouses again. I'm getting to the point where I can start to imagine us actually making music though, and its exciting. I can't wait to hear the song.
PS: Les thinks being mentioned in blogs is kinda like writing his own. I want to remind him that it is not, and he should try writing one to see the difference:)
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
To Remember
A song from the Vintage Winers (by Libana)
Theres a river of birds in migration
A nation of women with wings
A nation of women with wings
Having a blast in DC, listening to music and preaching and women's voices and thoughts.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Pilgrimage
Three years ago, a few friends and I embarked on an accidental pilgrimage of sorts. Blowing off a week of seminary classes, we piled into Jane's big ol' vehicle (a necessity on curvy Pennsylvania turnpike roads during construction season in the dark), and drove to DC for the Festival of Homiletics. We had a blast - it was enough fun to get me out of bed and downstairs by 6:30. In. The. Morning. And trust me, thats saying a lot. Between the friendship, the worship, the preaching and the general freedom of taking schedules into our hands, it was the closest thing to a pilgrimage I've done so far.
While we were there, we heard a particular preacher. As she climbed into the pulpit I leaned over and whispered "Thats who I want to be when I grow up." I'd always grown up with great preachers in my congregation, but something about this woman's style spoke to me in a different way. This week, I get the chance to study with her, and 40-some other young clergy women. I've changed quite a bit since that conference three years ago, and I think its time for another pilgrimage.
DC, here I come again!
While we were there, we heard a particular preacher. As she climbed into the pulpit I leaned over and whispered "Thats who I want to be when I grow up." I'd always grown up with great preachers in my congregation, but something about this woman's style spoke to me in a different way. This week, I get the chance to study with her, and 40-some other young clergy women. I've changed quite a bit since that conference three years ago, and I think its time for another pilgrimage.
DC, here I come again!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
On The Job Training
I missed yesterday's Friday Five. Well, plus the last month's worth of Friday Fives. Seriously though, who said this job transition this is easy? Because they need to attend Telling The Truth class 101. Yeesh.
One of the new parts of my job is commuting to a second office that is about an hour and a half from where I live. I only do that once or twice a week, but really, driving doesn't bother me anyway. I get to stay caught up on all my favorite podcasts, practice my voice exercises, and learn some Italian.
I also get to listen to my friend Missy on the radio in the morning. She is the local host for Morning Edition on a public station near here. Recently on her program, someone was interviewing Joe Biden about how he wants to be the President. Now, I know very little about Sen Biden (and most of what I know, I learned in this interview). But he said something that got under my skin: when asked why he should be President, he said "because this isn't the time for on-the-job training."
Perhaps I'm a little sensitive, being in the midst of job transition and all, but... Excuse me? Watching someone do a job (even, or especially, if they do it rather badly...) is simply not the same as knowing how to do the job yourself. Some things can only be learned by doing. Preparation is important, knowledge and theory and history all matter. But a job of that magnitude simply must include some on-the-job training. To think otherwise is to miss opportunities for growth, and maybe even for greatness.
One of the new parts of my job is commuting to a second office that is about an hour and a half from where I live. I only do that once or twice a week, but really, driving doesn't bother me anyway. I get to stay caught up on all my favorite podcasts, practice my voice exercises, and learn some Italian.
I also get to listen to my friend Missy on the radio in the morning. She is the local host for Morning Edition on a public station near here. Recently on her program, someone was interviewing Joe Biden about how he wants to be the President. Now, I know very little about Sen Biden (and most of what I know, I learned in this interview). But he said something that got under my skin: when asked why he should be President, he said "because this isn't the time for on-the-job training."
Perhaps I'm a little sensitive, being in the midst of job transition and all, but... Excuse me? Watching someone do a job (even, or especially, if they do it rather badly...) is simply not the same as knowing how to do the job yourself. Some things can only be learned by doing. Preparation is important, knowledge and theory and history all matter. But a job of that magnitude simply must include some on-the-job training. To think otherwise is to miss opportunities for growth, and maybe even for greatness.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Friday Five, Finally
So, it turns out that transitioning takes a lot of time and energy, so I've been away from here for a bit. Also, we were away at a wedding for a few days.
Easing myself back in with a Hasty Friday Five seems like a good way to spend the last bits of a hasty lunch hour, so with no further ado, welcome to my day!
Today I am....
1. Wearing
Pink & white-striped shirt, khakis, and my tan socks with butterflies, and my always jewelry (engagement ring & wedding ring) . I chose the outfit because I knew I'd be moving boxes and unpacking boxes... and well, thats hard to do gracefully in a skirt. Oh! And very cute brown shoes that I love, but they're currently somewhere under my desk...
2. Reading
Preaching as Testimony, by Anna Carter Florence - I've been meaning to read it for months, but now I have conference deadline to help me along, and a whole lot of files for my new job
3. Eating
I just had Noodles & Co for lunch - and I'm very excited that I didn't add "mac & cheese" to the first category. That was a close one.
4. Doing
Um, blogging. Duh. But after that... see number 2 above.
5. Pondering
How to catalog the books I have for a resource center, how to set up my new office so that it has two functioning desks, how best to support friends who are hurting, and what it means to have a diocesan community rather than a congregation
Enough pondering though, time for more work.
Easing myself back in with a Hasty Friday Five seems like a good way to spend the last bits of a hasty lunch hour, so with no further ado, welcome to my day!
Today I am....
1. Wearing
Pink & white-striped shirt, khakis, and my tan socks with butterflies, and my always jewelry (engagement ring & wedding ring) . I chose the outfit because I knew I'd be moving boxes and unpacking boxes... and well, thats hard to do gracefully in a skirt. Oh! And very cute brown shoes that I love, but they're currently somewhere under my desk...
2. Reading
Preaching as Testimony, by Anna Carter Florence - I've been meaning to read it for months, but now I have conference deadline to help me along, and a whole lot of files for my new job
3. Eating
I just had Noodles & Co for lunch - and I'm very excited that I didn't add "mac & cheese" to the first category. That was a close one.
4. Doing
Um, blogging. Duh. But after that... see number 2 above.
5. Pondering
How to catalog the books I have for a resource center, how to set up my new office so that it has two functioning desks, how best to support friends who are hurting, and what it means to have a diocesan community rather than a congregation
Enough pondering though, time for more work.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Shalom
Today, I preached on my last Sunday as a curate. In one week, I'll begin a new job, as youth & young adult missioner for my diocese. It was a great morning, full of tears and blessings and generosity and Spirit. Here is something like what I said from the pulpit.
Shalom…. That word has been used around here a whole lot in the last week or so. It’s a Hebrew word that means Hello and peace and goodbye as any of the 63 kids who participated in VBS 2007 will tell you. We used it as a greeting, a way to focus attention, as a prayer. There is no real English equivalent, no word that captures all of these sentiments into one sound. While the specificity of our own language can be helpful, us English-speakers can miss our on the way SHALOM points to a cycle of life, a cycle that runs through our Christian calling again and again.– the coming and goings that are part of greeting, blessing, and sending.
Greet, bless, send. Welcome, renew, and commission – this pattern is evident in today’s readings from Scripture. Elijah, a burned-out prophet in violent kingdom, comes seeking after God on a mountain. On the mountain he is fed with water and bread, and then nourished by the very presence of God before being sent to name his successor in Elisha. In the Gospel of Luke, the man possessed by demons finds Jesus, and is healed from a life of torment and isolation, and is then sent by Jesus to share the story of God’s grace and power. Each one comes to God, bringing their sorrow, their struggle, their searching – and is fed, healed, renewed by the encounter with God’s wild and powerful love. But the renewal is not the end of the story. Each man is sent from the encounter with a purpose and a mission.
Greeted by God, blessed by God, sent by God - it is one of the basic cycles of life in Christ. We see it in our worship – as the Body of Christ, we gather and greet one another, in the informal ways of morning chatter in the vesting room, and in our ritual language – The Lord be With You. And then, we are nourished by God’s grace – in the reading and the prayers, by sharing in the peace together, and most especially at the table of Christ. Yesterday morning, I attended an ordination service for a friend who will serve as pastor of a combined Episcopal/Lutheran congregation. The Eucharistic prayer we used was unfamiliar to me, but it illustrated this idea of nourishing and sending so beautifully. The prayer read: “…but here at this table, he (Jesus) is the host. Those who wish to serve him must first be served by him. Those who want to follow him must first be fed by him. For this is the table where God intends us to be nourished. This is the time when Christ can make us new.” Once we have received this grace, this nourishment, this fulfillment of God’s promised presence, we are sent into world “to love and serve the Lord.”
But even beyond the space and time-frame of Sunday worship, this pattern of welcoming, of nourishing, and sending out renewed by God’s grace is the basic building block of all our ministry. In instances big and small, we do our best to imitate the love of God by greeting those in need, strengthening them for their journey, and wishing them well. I have witnessed it in the way we greet and care for the children in our midst, and the way we celebrate them as the graduate high school.
This ministry is evident in the generosity of this place: the way we can give of ourselves and our resources to support and nourish the people we love, and the people we’ve never met.
I know this pattern of ministry is alive and well here because I am a product of it. This place has become a community of formation, giving of your time, energy, wisdom and care to raise up new clergy, and that is a ministry for which I am supremely grateful. Over the past two years, I have been warmly greeted and welcomed into guilds and committees, into meals and homes, into moments of life and death that have been my privilege to witness. The first years of my priesthood have been fed and nourished by shared prayer and shared work, by pictures scribbled in crayons by children, by kind and encouraging notes from adults. In washing dishes on Wednesday nights, in singing carols at a nursing home, around a campfire in Tennessee, even talking about finacial reports at Vestry meetings! – this community, your faith and love and energy, have blessed me beyond any words.
Happily, God does not simply sends us away – we are, instead, sent away changed and empowered. Each time we leave this place, whether for a day, a week, or an unforeseen time, we are different. We are reminded in this cycle, in the greeting and blessing, in the Word and Sacrament, in bread and wine that we are, all of us, clothed with Christ. This clothing isn’t like the kind that we change at will, or stain or tear.
Here is an image for “clothed in Christ”: When we are sent, its like those commercials on TV for the Verizon network – where the cell phone user is always surrounded by the millions of folk who make up the network… When we are sent out, clothed in Christ, we are first and foremost, children of God: neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female. The political, social, economic, and geographical differences and distances are diminished by the power of God’s love – by God’s shalom. As people clothed in Christ, we carry with us all those who are part of this cycle, all those who have been the hands and feet of Christ to us in this world, all who have witnessed to the love of God. Their strength and prayers strengthen us for the work of ministry, and blesses us through the power of the Spirit.
Full of blessing and peace, we come to another moment of sending. As I leave this community for a different ministry, I am surrounded by the love of God shown and lived in this place. But all of us are sent! So, be watchful, because cycles have a way of repeating. Know that you have been clothed with Christ, and Jesus has called you to more ministry: more welcoming of people who hurt, who seek God’s face, who seek formation and nourishment. They may be at the door or across the world – but God will send you where you are needed. As our ministry continues, may the grace of Jesus Christ fill us all with the deep and abiding Shalom of God.
Shalom…. That word has been used around here a whole lot in the last week or so. It’s a Hebrew word that means Hello and peace and goodbye as any of the 63 kids who participated in VBS 2007 will tell you. We used it as a greeting, a way to focus attention, as a prayer. There is no real English equivalent, no word that captures all of these sentiments into one sound. While the specificity of our own language can be helpful, us English-speakers can miss our on the way SHALOM points to a cycle of life, a cycle that runs through our Christian calling again and again.– the coming and goings that are part of greeting, blessing, and sending.
Greet, bless, send. Welcome, renew, and commission – this pattern is evident in today’s readings from Scripture. Elijah, a burned-out prophet in violent kingdom, comes seeking after God on a mountain. On the mountain he is fed with water and bread, and then nourished by the very presence of God before being sent to name his successor in Elisha. In the Gospel of Luke, the man possessed by demons finds Jesus, and is healed from a life of torment and isolation, and is then sent by Jesus to share the story of God’s grace and power. Each one comes to God, bringing their sorrow, their struggle, their searching – and is fed, healed, renewed by the encounter with God’s wild and powerful love. But the renewal is not the end of the story. Each man is sent from the encounter with a purpose and a mission.
Greeted by God, blessed by God, sent by God - it is one of the basic cycles of life in Christ. We see it in our worship – as the Body of Christ, we gather and greet one another, in the informal ways of morning chatter in the vesting room, and in our ritual language – The Lord be With You. And then, we are nourished by God’s grace – in the reading and the prayers, by sharing in the peace together, and most especially at the table of Christ. Yesterday morning, I attended an ordination service for a friend who will serve as pastor of a combined Episcopal/Lutheran congregation. The Eucharistic prayer we used was unfamiliar to me, but it illustrated this idea of nourishing and sending so beautifully. The prayer read: “…but here at this table, he (Jesus) is the host. Those who wish to serve him must first be served by him. Those who want to follow him must first be fed by him. For this is the table where God intends us to be nourished. This is the time when Christ can make us new.” Once we have received this grace, this nourishment, this fulfillment of God’s promised presence, we are sent into world “to love and serve the Lord.”
But even beyond the space and time-frame of Sunday worship, this pattern of welcoming, of nourishing, and sending out renewed by God’s grace is the basic building block of all our ministry. In instances big and small, we do our best to imitate the love of God by greeting those in need, strengthening them for their journey, and wishing them well. I have witnessed it in the way we greet and care for the children in our midst, and the way we celebrate them as the graduate high school.
This ministry is evident in the generosity of this place: the way we can give of ourselves and our resources to support and nourish the people we love, and the people we’ve never met.
I know this pattern of ministry is alive and well here because I am a product of it. This place has become a community of formation, giving of your time, energy, wisdom and care to raise up new clergy, and that is a ministry for which I am supremely grateful. Over the past two years, I have been warmly greeted and welcomed into guilds and committees, into meals and homes, into moments of life and death that have been my privilege to witness. The first years of my priesthood have been fed and nourished by shared prayer and shared work, by pictures scribbled in crayons by children, by kind and encouraging notes from adults. In washing dishes on Wednesday nights, in singing carols at a nursing home, around a campfire in Tennessee, even talking about finacial reports at Vestry meetings! – this community, your faith and love and energy, have blessed me beyond any words.
Happily, God does not simply sends us away – we are, instead, sent away changed and empowered. Each time we leave this place, whether for a day, a week, or an unforeseen time, we are different. We are reminded in this cycle, in the greeting and blessing, in the Word and Sacrament, in bread and wine that we are, all of us, clothed with Christ. This clothing isn’t like the kind that we change at will, or stain or tear.
Here is an image for “clothed in Christ”: When we are sent, its like those commercials on TV for the Verizon network – where the cell phone user is always surrounded by the millions of folk who make up the network… When we are sent out, clothed in Christ, we are first and foremost, children of God: neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female. The political, social, economic, and geographical differences and distances are diminished by the power of God’s love – by God’s shalom. As people clothed in Christ, we carry with us all those who are part of this cycle, all those who have been the hands and feet of Christ to us in this world, all who have witnessed to the love of God. Their strength and prayers strengthen us for the work of ministry, and blesses us through the power of the Spirit.
Full of blessing and peace, we come to another moment of sending. As I leave this community for a different ministry, I am surrounded by the love of God shown and lived in this place. But all of us are sent! So, be watchful, because cycles have a way of repeating. Know that you have been clothed with Christ, and Jesus has called you to more ministry: more welcoming of people who hurt, who seek God’s face, who seek formation and nourishment. They may be at the door or across the world – but God will send you where you are needed. As our ministry continues, may the grace of Jesus Christ fill us all with the deep and abiding Shalom of God.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Eight Things
Sometime I'll get back to posting something other than memes and quizzes. But, for now, Grace-Thing tagged me for the Eight Things meme, so here we go...
I'm supposed to post the rules. So, I'll be nice and do that:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3.At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
1. I love to cook, and would love to take classes at a culinary school. I'd especially like to take a knife skills class. However, I cook vegetarian food - except mushrooms. I hate mushrooms. I think I could not really go to culinary school because I hate mushrooms. Yes, even portobellos.
2. I have sung in choirs since I was six years old, and I used to want to go into music education. Since I was eleven years old, I've wanted to take voice lessons - but it never worked out. Until now! This fall I will start singing with a choral ensemble in my area, and to get ready for that, I'll be taking some voice lessons with someone from my church. I'm so excited about both prospects that I get teary and a goofy grin whenever I talk about it.
3. If I lived in a warmer climate, and had a relaxed enough job, I would wear a tank top everyday, with a cotton skirt. Its the most comfortable outfit ever.
4. I have two sapphires in my engagement ring, and two in my wedding ring. I had wanted an engagement ring with sapphires since I was a kid. The choir director at my church has sapphires in her ring - I think that was probably what planted the idea in my mind. I loved everything about her when I was kid. (Still do!) The summer before I got engaged, my mom inherited some jewelry from my great-grandmother... including her engagement ring, which had a row of sapphires. My mom let us re-set some stones from Nana's jewelry, and so I got my engagement ring with sapphires. I love it, and I wear it everyday.
5. Its not random or a secret that I love Michigan football. But that wasn't always true! As a kid in Ann Arbor, I thought football was annoying - on football Saturdays, we couldn't go downtown, and my mom liked to sit in her room and listen to the game on the radio. I thought it was terribly boring. It was only as a student at Michigan that I learned to love football. Now, my mom and I call each other after almost every game!
6. People associate me with ice cream. I think this is because I would happily eat ice cream for most meals. I just love the stuff. When I got married, we received multiple ice cream makers, as well as ice cream accessories (scoops, dishes, toppings).
7. I can't stand turning off a tv show or a movie in the middle. Even if I've already seen the movie, or don't like the show, I just can't stand not finishing it. And yes, I'm a "J" on the Meyers-Briggs.
8. My church "aethestic" is low church - I'm not big on lots of vestments, or incense, or big processions really. But I love to sing the service. I love the sound of chant, I love the feel of chanting the words, and the holy space that opens up when worship is sung. I hoep to someday find a community where I can easily live into both of these worship identities... though, my current one is pretty close in a lot of ways.
Now for eight other people to play.... I don't know who all's been tagged on this yet... how about PPB, Tripp, TurtleDeb, Mark, La Sequencia, Mrs. M, Si (so he'll post!!), and Frank (same reason!)
I'm supposed to post the rules. So, I'll be nice and do that:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3.At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
1. I love to cook, and would love to take classes at a culinary school. I'd especially like to take a knife skills class. However, I cook vegetarian food - except mushrooms. I hate mushrooms. I think I could not really go to culinary school because I hate mushrooms. Yes, even portobellos.
2. I have sung in choirs since I was six years old, and I used to want to go into music education. Since I was eleven years old, I've wanted to take voice lessons - but it never worked out. Until now! This fall I will start singing with a choral ensemble in my area, and to get ready for that, I'll be taking some voice lessons with someone from my church. I'm so excited about both prospects that I get teary and a goofy grin whenever I talk about it.
3. If I lived in a warmer climate, and had a relaxed enough job, I would wear a tank top everyday, with a cotton skirt. Its the most comfortable outfit ever.
4. I have two sapphires in my engagement ring, and two in my wedding ring. I had wanted an engagement ring with sapphires since I was a kid. The choir director at my church has sapphires in her ring - I think that was probably what planted the idea in my mind. I loved everything about her when I was kid. (Still do!) The summer before I got engaged, my mom inherited some jewelry from my great-grandmother... including her engagement ring, which had a row of sapphires. My mom let us re-set some stones from Nana's jewelry, and so I got my engagement ring with sapphires. I love it, and I wear it everyday.
5. Its not random or a secret that I love Michigan football. But that wasn't always true! As a kid in Ann Arbor, I thought football was annoying - on football Saturdays, we couldn't go downtown, and my mom liked to sit in her room and listen to the game on the radio. I thought it was terribly boring. It was only as a student at Michigan that I learned to love football. Now, my mom and I call each other after almost every game!
6. People associate me with ice cream. I think this is because I would happily eat ice cream for most meals. I just love the stuff. When I got married, we received multiple ice cream makers, as well as ice cream accessories (scoops, dishes, toppings).
7. I can't stand turning off a tv show or a movie in the middle. Even if I've already seen the movie, or don't like the show, I just can't stand not finishing it. And yes, I'm a "J" on the Meyers-Briggs.
8. My church "aethestic" is low church - I'm not big on lots of vestments, or incense, or big processions really. But I love to sing the service. I love the sound of chant, I love the feel of chanting the words, and the holy space that opens up when worship is sung. I hoep to someday find a community where I can easily live into both of these worship identities... though, my current one is pretty close in a lot of ways.
Now for eight other people to play.... I don't know who all's been tagged on this yet... how about PPB, Tripp, TurtleDeb, Mark, La Sequencia, Mrs. M, Si (so he'll post!!), and Frank (same reason!)
Friday, June 08, 2007
Five and Five!
Today is my fifth wedding anniversary! You know, with all thats happened in the last five years - two moves, two masters degrees, ordination, first call - its the wedding anniversaries that catch me off guard. How can I have possibly been married for five years? You know what they say - time flies when you're having fun.
So what better way to celebrate five years that with a round of the Friday Five?* '
This week's theme, from Cathy, is an Island Getaway!
We snitched a bit of time on an quiet island nearby this week. It was a last minute plan, escaping with a minimal amount of preparation. One must have essentials that make it a relaxing time. Perhaps you have had this opportunity to escape, or maybe it's only been a thought to get away. However, suppose you were told to pack some essentials for a trip to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Describe your location, in general or specific terms and....
Location... I'd love to go back to San Diego (where we honeymooned). I know its not an island, but the place we stayed was on an island in the bay... beach right outside our back door, easy access to all kinds of fun... something along those lines, beach with city perks in warm climate, would be fine with me.
1) What book(s) will you bring?
On vacation... I'm more of a magazine kinda person. Though, and I know this is odd, I like to read cookbooks on vacation. Also, cooking magazines - Cooking Light, Food & Wine... something about the easy schedule makes me think I might conquer some of those complicated recipes some day. For actual books though... my friend's mom just published her third novel, and that'll probably come with me on my next trip.
2) What music accompanies you?
Indigo Girls (always). Norah Jones. Since my husband is coming too... maybe some Regina Spektor. Oh! And Ella & Louis, one of our favorite cds.
3) What essentials of everyday living must you take (as in the health and beauty aids aisle variety)?
Nail polish!! Vacation is for painting nails. Also my entire make-up bag! You never know which color eyeliner you'll want with a sundress for a nice dinner out...
4) What technological gadgets if any, will you take with you or do you leave it all behind?
I would take my ipod - for the plane - but it was stolen recently. Phooey. Oh! But this is imaginary vacation! Sweet. Then in imaginary land, I have a video ipod with episodes of Scrubs for the plane ride, as well as The American President.
5) What culinary delights will you partake in while there?
In San Diego - definitely seafood, and Mexican. We're also big fans of Italian food, the whole "local organic California" scene (a la Alice Waters), and ice cream. And cotton candy, in case we run across any.
*Um, to be clear, I don't actually think that this is how I'm celebrating my anniversary. We're actually going away overnight to my husband's college town (we dated all through college, though we went to different schools.) It'll be fun. Not that this wasnt'... but c'mon!
So what better way to celebrate five years that with a round of the Friday Five?* '
This week's theme, from Cathy, is an Island Getaway!
We snitched a bit of time on an quiet island nearby this week. It was a last minute plan, escaping with a minimal amount of preparation. One must have essentials that make it a relaxing time. Perhaps you have had this opportunity to escape, or maybe it's only been a thought to get away. However, suppose you were told to pack some essentials for a trip to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Describe your location, in general or specific terms and....
Location... I'd love to go back to San Diego (where we honeymooned). I know its not an island, but the place we stayed was on an island in the bay... beach right outside our back door, easy access to all kinds of fun... something along those lines, beach with city perks in warm climate, would be fine with me.
1) What book(s) will you bring?
On vacation... I'm more of a magazine kinda person. Though, and I know this is odd, I like to read cookbooks on vacation. Also, cooking magazines - Cooking Light, Food & Wine... something about the easy schedule makes me think I might conquer some of those complicated recipes some day. For actual books though... my friend's mom just published her third novel, and that'll probably come with me on my next trip.
2) What music accompanies you?
Indigo Girls (always). Norah Jones. Since my husband is coming too... maybe some Regina Spektor. Oh! And Ella & Louis, one of our favorite cds.
3) What essentials of everyday living must you take (as in the health and beauty aids aisle variety)?
Nail polish!! Vacation is for painting nails. Also my entire make-up bag! You never know which color eyeliner you'll want with a sundress for a nice dinner out...
4) What technological gadgets if any, will you take with you or do you leave it all behind?
I would take my ipod - for the plane - but it was stolen recently. Phooey. Oh! But this is imaginary vacation! Sweet. Then in imaginary land, I have a video ipod with episodes of Scrubs for the plane ride, as well as The American President.
5) What culinary delights will you partake in while there?
In San Diego - definitely seafood, and Mexican. We're also big fans of Italian food, the whole "local organic California" scene (a la Alice Waters), and ice cream. And cotton candy, in case we run across any.
*Um, to be clear, I don't actually think that this is how I'm celebrating my anniversary. We're actually going away overnight to my husband's college town (we dated all through college, though we went to different schools.) It'll be fun. Not that this wasnt'... but c'mon!
Monday, June 04, 2007
Life Eternal
Auto accident claims life of Northern Michigan Bishop James Kelsey
I didn't know Bishop Kelsey well - I'd met him on an occasion or two, but being in the same state, I've heard of his faith, his graceful ways, his deep spirit. His sudden loss is a great and sad thing for our church. Consider his family, his friends, and his flock in your prayers today.
May he find eternal rest in the arms of the God he loved and served.
I didn't know Bishop Kelsey well - I'd met him on an occasion or two, but being in the same state, I've heard of his faith, his graceful ways, his deep spirit. His sudden loss is a great and sad thing for our church. Consider his family, his friends, and his flock in your prayers today.
May he find eternal rest in the arms of the God he loved and served.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Graduation Day
Today is commencement at the seminary. It will be a big service with tickets and everything, and then there will be much hanging out and celebrating with the brand-new alums, some future alums, and some already-alums-before-today.
Oh? You want to help celebrate? Thats very nice of you. You can say congratulations to these folks: Beth, Archer, Raisin, Ian, and Laurel.
Congratulations, class of '07!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Spiders and Shrieking
The other night, while I was innocently putting my dishes in the dishwaher, I disocer a very large 8-leged THING on the floor of my kitchen. This was somewhere between "black widow-grade" and "tarantula-grade" invader. So, naturally, I shrieked, until my knight in shining armor lovely husband live-in exterminator took care of the problem.
The result? Today is Spring Cleaning Day in our house! I'm contributing by doing laundry, washing dishes, moving the refrigerator, tossing stuff from the pantry, and taking out the recycling.
And, of course, encouraging thelive-in exterminator lovely husband, staying out of the way, and suggesting that our day be interrupted by ice cream. Spring Cleaning Day is fun!
Later Update: Shelf fixed, new shower caddy assembled, new stain on carpet where I dropped the bowls of spaghetti... two steps forward, one step back.
The result? Today is Spring Cleaning Day in our house! I'm contributing by doing laundry, washing dishes, moving the refrigerator, tossing stuff from the pantry, and taking out the recycling.
And, of course, encouraging the
Later Update: Shelf fixed, new shower caddy assembled, new stain on carpet where I dropped the bowls of spaghetti... two steps forward, one step back.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Making Music
Seen over at RevEm and Mrs. M... who along with ReverendMother have been added to the sidebar as well. Based on the questions, I would've thought music would show up, but I guess that goes to show what I know!
| Your Dominant Intelligence is Interpersonal Intelligence |
 You shine in your ability to realate to and understand others. Good at seeing others' points of view, you get how people think and feel. You have an uncanny ability to sense true feelings, intentions, and motivations. A natural born leader, you are great at teaching and mediating conflict. You would make a good counselor, salesperson, politician, or business person. |
Monday, May 21, 2007
Basketball Rules
Since the Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 isn't going so well for my team right now, I thought I'd take a minute to review my rules of basketball. Its very simple.
Rule #1: If you want to win, you have to make the ball go in the hoop. And you have to do that more than the other people.
Rule #2: You have to stay inside the box painted on the floor.
My Pistons seem to be having some issues with that first rule (except for Rip Hamilton, they shot 29% in the first half. Thats not good.) But, rough game means I want a distraction, so at least y'all get a post out of me.
How did I get to be such a basketball expert,you ask? Well, it turns out that marriage is about more than compromise, its also about growth. So, in our house, Luke has grown in his appreciate of football, and I have grown in my appreciation of basketball.
Plus, look how adorable Tayshaun is... how could you not watch?
Rule #1: If you want to win, you have to make the ball go in the hoop. And you have to do that more than the other people.
Rule #2: You have to stay inside the box painted on the floor.
My Pistons seem to be having some issues with that first rule (except for Rip Hamilton, they shot 29% in the first half. Thats not good.) But, rough game means I want a distraction, so at least y'all get a post out of me.
How did I get to be such a basketball expert,you ask? Well, it turns out that marriage is about more than compromise, its also about growth. So, in our house, Luke has grown in his appreciate of football, and I have grown in my appreciation of basketball.
Plus, look how adorable Tayshaun is... how could you not watch?
Friday, May 11, 2007
Mothers
We celebrated Mothers Day in our families yesterday with a very long car trip. My mother and mother-in-law like to travel together to visit art exhibits in general Michigan vicinity. The Cleveland Art Museum has a great Monet exhibit right now, so the four of us piled into a car and drove down together. If you're going to spend eight hours in a car, its good to have two hours of walking in the middle, so it worked out well. To our surprise, the reciprocity of museum membership between Cleveland and Detroit meant that we got in to the exhibit for free! The exhibit was great, laid out chronologically, and it was especially interested to watch Monet grow in and out of styles. The final piece was one his Water Lillies series - a large canvas, maybe 10 feet wide and six feet high, with no refernce to the sky, the land. Just flowers floating in water, filling your whole perspective.
That quiet impact, that shift of perspective, might be a way to describe another Mothers Day celebration. A group of women in Ohio are calling on women all over the world to stand together on Mothers Day, in silence, to change the world. Can you join these women? Visit Standing Women for their story.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Double Double Party
Its time for the NBA playoffs, which means lots o' basketball on in my household. Before I got married, I would've thought a double double had something to do with ice cream. Or some Shakespearean witches. Now I know its a basketball term about stats - and poor Dirk Nowitzki managed to average a double double in the first 5 games of their Round 1 series, and he's still going to have a crappy off-season because his game six performance was so terrible. A double double is good, it just isn't enough to win a series.
Also, its what I'm calling my post because I'm playing two Friday fives.
So, last week first: The What Are You Game!
What are you...
Wearing? Jeans, a tank top and a cute red & white polka-dot short-sleeved button-down. And no shoes or socks, cuz I'm sitting on my front porch enjoying the sunny mid-60s weather on my day off.
Pondering? The workshop I'm doing tomorrow on "Essentials for Parish Youth Ministry" at a diocesan event. Specifically, a comment someone made recently that if you want a strong youth formation program, you need a good adult formation. I'm not sure about the ordering there, but I do think there is a close relationship. If I could articulate that before tomorrow afternoon, that'd be nice.
Reading? Anne Lamott's new book, Grace (Eventually), which my mom got for me for Easter. My latest issues of Blueprint magazine and Cooking Light. Also, I started Dianna Butler Bass Christianity For The Rest of Us, but I've misplaced it...
Dreaming? About re-decorating my office/spare room here at home. So far, an enormous map of the world, a new desk, and some star-shaped things are part of the idea.
Eating? Um, I was always taught not to eat at a computer. But for dinner tonight - panzanella, with basil from the plant on my patio and some Trader Joe's sourdough I picked up yesterday.
And now its time to Parrrrrrty!
1) Would you rather be the host or the guest?
Both! I like hosting parties on the smaller side and planning food, but I like going and not having to plan too.
2) When you are hosting, do you clean everything up the minute the guests go home? Will you accept help with the dishes?
Um, you'd have to ask my husband... so I guess thats a yes!
3) If you had the wherewithal, and I guess I mean more than money, to throw a great theme party, what would the theme be?
If I could think of party themes, I'd have more parties.
4) What's the worst time you ever had at a party?
I went to a wedding once where the bride's father had too much to drink and made a really uncomfortable toast... especially odd, since there wasn't any alcohol served at that wedding, come to think of it.
5) And to end on a brighter note, what was the best?
My own wedding reception! Seriously, we had great food, great people, great dancing. It was a blast - and people besides us said so too :)
Also, its what I'm calling my post because I'm playing two Friday fives.
So, last week first: The What Are You Game!
What are you...
Wearing? Jeans, a tank top and a cute red & white polka-dot short-sleeved button-down. And no shoes or socks, cuz I'm sitting on my front porch enjoying the sunny mid-60s weather on my day off.
Pondering? The workshop I'm doing tomorrow on "Essentials for Parish Youth Ministry" at a diocesan event. Specifically, a comment someone made recently that if you want a strong youth formation program, you need a good adult formation. I'm not sure about the ordering there, but I do think there is a close relationship. If I could articulate that before tomorrow afternoon, that'd be nice.
Reading? Anne Lamott's new book, Grace (Eventually), which my mom got for me for Easter. My latest issues of Blueprint magazine and Cooking Light. Also, I started Dianna Butler Bass Christianity For The Rest of Us, but I've misplaced it...
Dreaming? About re-decorating my office/spare room here at home. So far, an enormous map of the world, a new desk, and some star-shaped things are part of the idea.
Eating? Um, I was always taught not to eat at a computer. But for dinner tonight - panzanella, with basil from the plant on my patio and some Trader Joe's sourdough I picked up yesterday.
And now its time to Parrrrrrty!
1) Would you rather be the host or the guest?
Both! I like hosting parties on the smaller side and planning food, but I like going and not having to plan too.
2) When you are hosting, do you clean everything up the minute the guests go home? Will you accept help with the dishes?
Um, you'd have to ask my husband... so I guess thats a yes!
3) If you had the wherewithal, and I guess I mean more than money, to throw a great theme party, what would the theme be?
If I could think of party themes, I'd have more parties.
4) What's the worst time you ever had at a party?
I went to a wedding once where the bride's father had too much to drink and made a really uncomfortable toast... especially odd, since there wasn't any alcohol served at that wedding, come to think of it.
5) And to end on a brighter note, what was the best?
My own wedding reception! Seriously, we had great food, great people, great dancing. It was a blast - and people besides us said so too :)
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Ice Cream Tonight!!
File this under "Public Service Announcements"...
Baskin-Robbins is holding 31-Cent Scoop Night
Tonight, Wednesday May 2nd
Its not quite as good as Free Scoop Day at Ben & Jerry's, but still. I scream, you scream...
Tonight, Wednesday May 2nd
Its not quite as good as Free Scoop Day at Ben & Jerry's, but still. I scream, you scream...
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
I Sing A Song...
Well, memes are always a good way to break a cycle, and Beth tagged me for the current "four favorite saints" list.
The instructions are: Name your four favorite saints, your favorite blessed saint, and the person you think should be canonized.
So, lets see...
St. Cecelia: The patron saint of music, the junior choir at the church where I grew up was named for her. Me & my low church self actually had a St. Cecelia medal that I wore for a long time that I got from my time in choir.
St. Clare: The church where I grew up was named for her, and in high school, I had the chance to visit Assisi and sit in the church of her convent, which is still an all-time "God moment" for me.
St. Brigid: Again, some of this is that I've been able to visit Ireland, and spent a day in her town. But, also, her feast day is my mom's bday, so that's pretty good.
George Herbert: His poetry is just beautiful. I used to know a beautiful choral setting of "Love Bade Me Welcome," and remember how it felt to figure out the words.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: I didn't come to know her through the church, so I'm gonna count her as my "blessed saint" even though I'm not clear on that distinction. Anyway, I wrote a paper on her for my AP History class in high school, and was really drawn to her as a personality.
As for someone who should be canonized... I think we do a pretty good job of adding folks to our commemoration calendar, but I'm going to go with Beth on this one. Thecla should be on our calendar, even if one could be "pedantic" and claim that Anglicans can rightly see her already as a saint!
The instructions are: Name your four favorite saints, your favorite blessed saint, and the person you think should be canonized.
So, lets see...
St. Cecelia: The patron saint of music, the junior choir at the church where I grew up was named for her. Me & my low church self actually had a St. Cecelia medal that I wore for a long time that I got from my time in choir.
St. Clare: The church where I grew up was named for her, and in high school, I had the chance to visit Assisi and sit in the church of her convent, which is still an all-time "God moment" for me.
St. Brigid: Again, some of this is that I've been able to visit Ireland, and spent a day in her town. But, also, her feast day is my mom's bday, so that's pretty good.
George Herbert: His poetry is just beautiful. I used to know a beautiful choral setting of "Love Bade Me Welcome," and remember how it felt to figure out the words.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: I didn't come to know her through the church, so I'm gonna count her as my "blessed saint" even though I'm not clear on that distinction. Anyway, I wrote a paper on her for my AP History class in high school, and was really drawn to her as a personality.
As for someone who should be canonized... I think we do a pretty good job of adding folks to our commemoration calendar, but I'm going to go with Beth on this one. Thecla should be on our calendar, even if one could be "pedantic" and claim that Anglicans can rightly see her already as a saint!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
No Words
I have no words for the horrible violence at VT this week. But I've heard and read many words, and these were especially moving to me.
From PPB and a commenter:
Unbelievable. Lord have mercy - May it never, ever become believable.
From Laurel:
What kind of hell was the shooter in that made him think mowing down 33 people, including himself, was a better option?
For our noon service this week, we skipped our usual observance of lesser feasts and used the propers "For Peace". It doesn't seem like enough, but clinging to hope and prayer as one woman awaited news from Blacksburg was what we had.
O day of peace that dimly shines
through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,
guide us to justice, truth, and love,
delivered from our selfish schemes.
May the swords of hate fall from our hands,
our hearts from envy find release,
till by God's grace our warring world
shall see Christ's promised reign of peace.
Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb,
nor shall the fierce devour the small;
as beasts and cattle calmly graze,
a little child shall lead them all.
Then enemies shall learn to love,
all creatures find their true accord;
the hope of peace shall be fulfilled,
for all the earth shall know the Lord.
From PPB and a commenter:
Unbelievable. Lord have mercy - May it never, ever become believable.
From Laurel:
What kind of hell was the shooter in that made him think mowing down 33 people, including himself, was a better option?
For our noon service this week, we skipped our usual observance of lesser feasts and used the propers "For Peace". It doesn't seem like enough, but clinging to hope and prayer as one woman awaited news from Blacksburg was what we had.
through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,
guide us to justice, truth, and love,
delivered from our selfish schemes.
May the swords of hate fall from our hands,
our hearts from envy find release,
till by God's grace our warring world
shall see Christ's promised reign of peace.
Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb,
nor shall the fierce devour the small;
as beasts and cattle calmly graze,
a little child shall lead them all.
Then enemies shall learn to love,
all creatures find their true accord;
the hope of peace shall be fulfilled,
for all the earth shall know the Lord.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Funny Guy
I'm struggling tonight with the shape of my sermon. (Why else would I be blogging at 10 pm on a Saturday evening?) So, over dinner, I generously offered to let my husband preach, and I would take his ushering duties in the morning. He countered that his sermon would be string of platitudes and quaint sayings, like the following:
An apple a day keeps bankruptcy away
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, especially if you're hunting with VP Cheney.
A penny saved is a germ-ridden piece of metal that costs more to make than its actual worth.
Needless to say, I've revoked my offer. Back to the sermon...
An apple a day keeps bankruptcy away
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, especially if you're hunting with VP Cheney.
A penny saved is a germ-ridden piece of metal that costs more to make than its actual worth.
Needless to say, I've revoked my offer. Back to the sermon...
Sunday, April 08, 2007
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
Friday, March 30, 2007
Back
We're back at home. Transitioning from the beach back into work can be difficult, which is why I like coming home on a Thursday, so I can catch up on stuff at work on Friday before church on Sunday.
Happily, a friend showed me a video to help me make the transition from South Beach to church office.
Enjoy!
Happily, a friend showed me a video to help me make the transition from South Beach to church office.
Enjoy!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Forget the Desert...
We had rivers in the church!!
Its been a full couple of days. Yesterday, somewhere between the morning baptismal prep sessions and my afternoon of children's communion instruction, we had a small flood in the women's room at church. Well, actually, not so small - the water flowed all the way across the hall into another room. Still, it wasn't all bad: since parents were attending the communion instruction afternoon with their kids, there was plenty of help on hand. Even better - one of the moms was way better at managing busted plumbing than I am. So, we did some clean up, while other parents got snack and a game going (Memory, but with pictures of things associated with Eucharist).
So, this week, I have no Friday Five "rivers in the desert" because I have had quite enough rivers, thank you very much.
Happily, I'm off to warmer waters and warmer climes for a few days, visiting my sister-in-law.
Did I mention that the flood went through the floor, causing all kinds of problems in the church school supply room too? Yeah. I'm so going on vacation now.
Its been a full couple of days. Yesterday, somewhere between the morning baptismal prep sessions and my afternoon of children's communion instruction, we had a small flood in the women's room at church. Well, actually, not so small - the water flowed all the way across the hall into another room. Still, it wasn't all bad: since parents were attending the communion instruction afternoon with their kids, there was plenty of help on hand. Even better - one of the moms was way better at managing busted plumbing than I am. So, we did some clean up, while other parents got snack and a game going (Memory, but with pictures of things associated with Eucharist).
So, this week, I have no Friday Five "rivers in the desert" because I have had quite enough rivers, thank you very much.
Happily, I'm off to warmer waters and warmer climes for a few days, visiting my sister-in-law.
Did I mention that the flood went through the floor, causing all kinds of problems in the church school supply room too? Yeah. I'm so going on vacation now.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Coffee Coffee
And now for a short public service announcement.
Today, at Dunkin Donuts, is Free Iced Coffee Day. Go to a store near you & pick up a free iced coffee! Such a deal - especially if you live in Chicago, and there is a Dunkin' Donuts every 10 feet. Enjoy!
And now back to our regularly scheduled flyer-making.
Today, at Dunkin Donuts, is Free Iced Coffee Day. Go to a store near you & pick up a free iced coffee! Such a deal - especially if you live in Chicago, and there is a Dunkin' Donuts every 10 feet. Enjoy!
And now back to our regularly scheduled flyer-making.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Last Day of Winter
The RevGals say its the last day of winter.
I say, "THANKS BE TO GOD!"
To celebrate, I bought three little bud vases at the Pottery Barn outlet store last week, while on a shopping expedition with my mama. They are now sitting on my dining room table with these beautiful orange and pink baby gerber daisies, brightening up the place a bit. And to top it all off, my skirts have made their way back out of the closet. It really is starting to look & feel like spring.
That, plus, I need to get working on the Easter Vigil bulletin...
I say, "THANKS BE TO GOD!"
To celebrate, I bought three little bud vases at the Pottery Barn outlet store last week, while on a shopping expedition with my mama. They are now sitting on my dining room table with these beautiful orange and pink baby gerber daisies, brightening up the place a bit. And to top it all off, my skirts have made their way back out of the closet. It really is starting to look & feel like spring.
That, plus, I need to get working on the Easter Vigil bulletin...
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Scampering Spring
Bunnies live in my condo complex. We have an abundance of pine trees, which seem to be the perfect shelter for them, no matter what the weather. Sometimes on the drive between my garage and the main drive through the complex - a whole two blocks - I'll see as many at 5 or 6 bunnies in the summertime.
Forget robins, forget flowers: here, bunnies are the signs of spring.With these warm, sunny days, the bunnies have reappeared.
On my way home tonight from doing a presentation for one of our women's groups, I saw a bunny sitting on the corner. As my headlights turned the curve and landed on the little guy, he seemed confused. As my headlights continued to turn, he continued to stay in the lights - and scampered into the road right in front of me. He seemed to be simultaneously scared of the lights, but wanted to be in the light. Maybe after the dark and gray winter, he just hasn't remembered the difference between sunlight and headlights. Excitement and nervousness and lights turned him into one fast-moving bunny!
I guess thats how these early days of spring are for me. I've been waiting for this season, for the gray to go away for at least a few hours a day, to pull out skirts and shoes I haven't used: to enjoy the warmth and light. But this taste of spring reminds me that this spring might be the season that brings answers to some potentially big changes, or, it may be the season to discover that its not time for change. I don't know yet, but 72 degree weather fills me with the possibility of knowing.
Turns out, excitment, nervousness and light make for fast-moving brains, too.
Forget robins, forget flowers: here, bunnies are the signs of spring.With these warm, sunny days, the bunnies have reappeared.
On my way home tonight from doing a presentation for one of our women's groups, I saw a bunny sitting on the corner. As my headlights turned the curve and landed on the little guy, he seemed confused. As my headlights continued to turn, he continued to stay in the lights - and scampered into the road right in front of me. He seemed to be simultaneously scared of the lights, but wanted to be in the light. Maybe after the dark and gray winter, he just hasn't remembered the difference between sunlight and headlights. Excitement and nervousness and lights turned him into one fast-moving bunny!
I guess thats how these early days of spring are for me. I've been waiting for this season, for the gray to go away for at least a few hours a day, to pull out skirts and shoes I haven't used: to enjoy the warmth and light. But this taste of spring reminds me that this spring might be the season that brings answers to some potentially big changes, or, it may be the season to discover that its not time for change. I don't know yet, but 72 degree weather fills me with the possibility of knowing.
Turns out, excitment, nervousness and light make for fast-moving brains, too.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Friday Five - A Matter of Taste
This week's challenge was inspired by figs. Incidentally, I was *just* out buying Fig Newtons for church school classes on Sunday, to enjoy with their story of the fig tree!
But moving on to the question at hand: Name five things you like a lot that some close relative or significant other did/does not like. This could be food, movies, hobbies, music, sports or whatever springs to mind.
1. Disney movies in general, but especially, Newsies.
I have this habit of hanging on to things from childhood in a sentimental way. There are all kinds of ironies there, but those aren't the subject of today's post. I love the movie Newsies, and I have since I was about 11 and watched it at a sleepover with my still-best-friend. Occasionally, to bother our husbands, we quote from it. Also, I still have the soundtrack tape in my car.
2. Marzipan
I love marzipan candy, and I think I always have. Apparently, lots of people do not share my taste for almond paste & sugar shaped like little fruit. So sad for them, more for me.
3. Food Network
My husband makes the very good point that its kind of rude of Giada, Rachael, Ina, Alton, and all my other food tv-buddies to make good food and not share with us. However, he doesn't really complain because they inspire me to cook food that doesn't have to go through a TV screen to be enjoyed.
4. Scrapbooking
I think this is mystifying to lots of people, but I really enjoy it. Though, I don't do it much anymore, I just love the book I made for my wedding, and I like making little gift albums for other people.
5. Michigan Football
I love Michigan football. I love watching it. I love Lloyd Carr. I love our fight song (though, the alma mater song is pretty lame...) I love football Saturdays on campus. I love that I bleed maize & blue. None of those things were especially true 10 years ago... but theres nothing like moving away from home to make you miss it! So, I am now a raving football fan, which I think confuses most people I know.
And just to be contrary...
#6: A distaste response: MUSHROOMS. I can't STAND 'em. (said in my best nasal Singin' In the Rain imitation way).
But moving on to the question at hand: Name five things you like a lot that some close relative or significant other did/does not like. This could be food, movies, hobbies, music, sports or whatever springs to mind.
1. Disney movies in general, but especially, Newsies.
I have this habit of hanging on to things from childhood in a sentimental way. There are all kinds of ironies there, but those aren't the subject of today's post. I love the movie Newsies, and I have since I was about 11 and watched it at a sleepover with my still-best-friend. Occasionally, to bother our husbands, we quote from it. Also, I still have the soundtrack tape in my car.
2. Marzipan
I love marzipan candy, and I think I always have. Apparently, lots of people do not share my taste for almond paste & sugar shaped like little fruit. So sad for them, more for me.
3. Food Network
My husband makes the very good point that its kind of rude of Giada, Rachael, Ina, Alton, and all my other food tv-buddies to make good food and not share with us. However, he doesn't really complain because they inspire me to cook food that doesn't have to go through a TV screen to be enjoyed.
4. Scrapbooking
I think this is mystifying to lots of people, but I really enjoy it. Though, I don't do it much anymore, I just love the book I made for my wedding, and I like making little gift albums for other people.
5. Michigan Football
I love Michigan football. I love watching it. I love Lloyd Carr. I love our fight song (though, the alma mater song is pretty lame...) I love football Saturdays on campus. I love that I bleed maize & blue. None of those things were especially true 10 years ago... but theres nothing like moving away from home to make you miss it! So, I am now a raving football fan, which I think confuses most people I know.
And just to be contrary...
#6: A distaste response: MUSHROOMS. I can't STAND 'em. (said in my best nasal Singin' In the Rain imitation way).
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Balloons
When I was a kid, I couldn't tie balloons for the life of me. I blame it on small fingers. Okay, so maybe the logical thing to say is that small fingers should make it *easier* to tie those darn knots, but c'mon. My sister could tie balloon knots, and her hands were four years bigger, so the problem was surely my small fingers and not my general lack of motor skills. Both of which (the small-ness of finger and general lack of fine motor skills) continue to this day.
But I digress. Back to those balloons. Since I couldn't tie them, I'd spend all my little lung power on blowing them up, and then they would immediately deflate and fly all over the room because I would fumble the end, and inevitably drop it. And then I'd try again - blow the balloon up, try to tie it, slip, and the balloon deflates.
That is the best metaphor I have for how my energy works this time of year. I am still capable of getting energy worked up around an idea or a project or a task. I can build enthusiasm and focus... but then, something keeps slipping, and fffffffffttttttttt - all the air is gone again. I just can't hang on quite long enough to tie that knot on my brain.
Of course... once in a while, watching ballons fly all over the room can be fun. As long as you don't break the vase on the piano.
But I digress. Back to those balloons. Since I couldn't tie them, I'd spend all my little lung power on blowing them up, and then they would immediately deflate and fly all over the room because I would fumble the end, and inevitably drop it. And then I'd try again - blow the balloon up, try to tie it, slip, and the balloon deflates.
That is the best metaphor I have for how my energy works this time of year. I am still capable of getting energy worked up around an idea or a project or a task. I can build enthusiasm and focus... but then, something keeps slipping, and fffffffffttttttttt - all the air is gone again. I just can't hang on quite long enough to tie that knot on my brain.
Of course... once in a while, watching ballons fly all over the room can be fun. As long as you don't break the vase on the piano.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Welcome Wagon
So, I've been away from my blog-reading, which makes me a day behind on this... but Congratulations to Micah & Laura on the newest member of their family! Go on over and say hi.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
ROAR
They say that March comes in like a lion.
So far today, we've had sleet, ice, rain, freezing rain, thunder and lightening. Its the kind of day that makes it hard to remember why I live in this part of the country. Especially when work committments have had me on the road quite a bit this week. The grayness, the coldness - by about this time each year, it seems to have seeped into my being, making me more edgy than I'd like.
But those same commitments have created a lovely space in my week that gives me this evening and tomorrow off, and the weather is a great excuse to order pizza, get out the fleece blankets, and just lounge for a bit. Already, the cold is ebbing, the crankiness subsiding.
With a little bit more self-care, the lamb may just show up by the end of the month.
So far today, we've had sleet, ice, rain, freezing rain, thunder and lightening. Its the kind of day that makes it hard to remember why I live in this part of the country. Especially when work committments have had me on the road quite a bit this week. The grayness, the coldness - by about this time each year, it seems to have seeped into my being, making me more edgy than I'd like.
But those same commitments have created a lovely space in my week that gives me this evening and tomorrow off, and the weather is a great excuse to order pizza, get out the fleece blankets, and just lounge for a bit. Already, the cold is ebbing, the crankiness subsiding.
With a little bit more self-care, the lamb may just show up by the end of the month.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Companions Friday Five
The RevGals Friday Five:
Dante had Virgil as a guide. Before he had younger siblings, my oldest child had an imaginary friend named Patrick. Betsy had Tacy. Laura Ingalls depended on her brindle bulldog, Jack. All of them were companions on the way.
As we take the beginning steps of our journey through Lent, who would we take as a companion? Name five people, real or imaginary, you might like to have with you as guide or guardian or simply good friend.
Five people? Only five? I'll refer to yesterday's post if you're unclear as to why that poses a challenge to me.
I attended (most of) a conference on formation ministries today. The retreat leader asked us to reflect on the people who had greatly impacted our faith formation. It was a lovely question, and, even more lovely for me because of the top five people I would name, three of them are taking part in the conference. I really enjoyed that moment, realizing how blessed I am to have these women still in my life. They were, and still are, companions on my journey because this journey would simply be different if they had not been along for the ride.
So, I will expand my companion list today beyond those women, and dream a bit more. For this Lent? This year?
Anne LaMott - She'll make an appearance in Lent for me, as one of our book reviews at church will be about Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith. But this year, I'd love to have her pointing out the humor, the grace, the moments of God in my life because she makes me laugh.
Saint Clare: Because I don't think she'd put up with much bs.
Luke: Not the Gospeller. My Luke. I just like to include him to remind myself of how lucky I am that this one isn't imaginary. Also, he makes me laugh and doesn't put with bs.
Amy & Emily: Better known as The Indigo Girls. I'm making music part of my Lenten practices, inlcuding picking up my guitar more often (which isn't saying much, but anyway...) How awesome would it be to have them helping me, singing with me, teaching me little tricks, talking and drinking coffee and and and...
My seminary friends, who are scattered far & wide: Today, I'm especially missing that community... games, lunches, movies, Gilmore Girls, road trips, late night discussions about universal salvation. How we ever found time for class, I'll never know. But whether it was sorting through discernment questions, slogging through tough readings for class, preparing for a chapel service, or debating the finer points of leadership (also known as watching The Apprentice) - community was never far away. I miss that, and I miss you all.
Technically, thats way more than five people. But again, I refer you to the previous post. 80% extroverted, people!
Dante had Virgil as a guide. Before he had younger siblings, my oldest child had an imaginary friend named Patrick. Betsy had Tacy. Laura Ingalls depended on her brindle bulldog, Jack. All of them were companions on the way.
As we take the beginning steps of our journey through Lent, who would we take as a companion? Name five people, real or imaginary, you might like to have with you as guide or guardian or simply good friend.
Five people? Only five? I'll refer to yesterday's post if you're unclear as to why that poses a challenge to me.
I attended (most of) a conference on formation ministries today. The retreat leader asked us to reflect on the people who had greatly impacted our faith formation. It was a lovely question, and, even more lovely for me because of the top five people I would name, three of them are taking part in the conference. I really enjoyed that moment, realizing how blessed I am to have these women still in my life. They were, and still are, companions on my journey because this journey would simply be different if they had not been along for the ride.
So, I will expand my companion list today beyond those women, and dream a bit more. For this Lent? This year?
Anne LaMott - She'll make an appearance in Lent for me, as one of our book reviews at church will be about Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith. But this year, I'd love to have her pointing out the humor, the grace, the moments of God in my life because she makes me laugh.
Saint Clare: Because I don't think she'd put up with much bs.
Luke: Not the Gospeller. My Luke. I just like to include him to remind myself of how lucky I am that this one isn't imaginary. Also, he makes me laugh and doesn't put with bs.
Amy & Emily: Better known as The Indigo Girls. I'm making music part of my Lenten practices, inlcuding picking up my guitar more often (which isn't saying much, but anyway...) How awesome would it be to have them helping me, singing with me, teaching me little tricks, talking and drinking coffee and and and...
My seminary friends, who are scattered far & wide: Today, I'm especially missing that community... games, lunches, movies, Gilmore Girls, road trips, late night discussions about universal salvation. How we ever found time for class, I'll never know. But whether it was sorting through discernment questions, slogging through tough readings for class, preparing for a chapel service, or debating the finer points of leadership (also known as watching The Apprentice) - community was never far away. I miss that, and I miss you all.
Technically, thats way more than five people. But again, I refer you to the previous post. 80% extroverted, people!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Self-Reflection
So, this isn't surprising enough to even be reflective, but...
Seriously though, I think this introvert/extrovert stuff plays into who blogs, and what they blog, and why. I tend to blog as yet another way to sustain friendships and community. I started this blog because it was something a bunch of seminary friends were doing, and it was another way to get to know people that I already knew face-to-face. Happily, thats expanded in all kinds of ways. I still read a blogs from tons of seminary friends, but also blogs of folks I've never met and don't know their names. Still, I've never quite settled into the idea of processing in writing, on cyber-paper. But here I am, working on a new skill.
But still... could that quiz have been less surprising?
| You Are 80% Extrovert, 20% Introvert |
 You are as outgoing as they come The life of the party, you're friends with everyone You're a people person, and you are quite the entertainer You love being around a crowd and acting spontaneously |
Seriously though, I think this introvert/extrovert stuff plays into who blogs, and what they blog, and why. I tend to blog as yet another way to sustain friendships and community. I started this blog because it was something a bunch of seminary friends were doing, and it was another way to get to know people that I already knew face-to-face. Happily, thats expanded in all kinds of ways. I still read a blogs from tons of seminary friends, but also blogs of folks I've never met and don't know their names. Still, I've never quite settled into the idea of processing in writing, on cyber-paper. But here I am, working on a new skill.
But still... could that quiz have been less surprising?
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Invitation
Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great
devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and
it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them
by a season of penitence and fasting.
This is season of Lent provided
a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy
Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of
notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful
were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to
the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation
was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set
forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all
Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the
observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance;
by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and
meditating on God's holy Word.
devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and
it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them
by a season of penitence and fasting.
This is season of Lent provided
a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy
Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of
notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful
were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to
the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation
was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set
forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all
Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the
observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance;
by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and
meditating on God's holy Word.
I read these words twice today, once at noon and again at 7 pm. And this is part of my response. I plan to use this space to support my meditating on readings, on ministry, on life in general. The extrovert in me needs the space - outside of my head - to think. I've spiffed it up (or toned it down?) to match the liturgical season, as a reminder to myself that using this tool is part of Lenten discipline this year. So, I don't want to get your hopes up by promise daily postings. However, I will be here with great frequency during Lent, and perhaps even daily. I'll look forward to seeing you, and getting to know you again. Unless, of course, your Lenten disciplines include fasting from the blogiverse, in which case, may you be blessed til Easter.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
What He Drew
So, here I am, avoiding a big task and checking out blog feeds, when what do I come across?
Busted! Back to work now.
Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.
Busted! Back to work now.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
moving right along
There it is... the fork in the road/tire. Thankfully, my car doesn't look like that anymore, especially since I'm putting all kinds of miles on it this weekend.
Our New Years vacation was wonderful. We loved everything about Pasadena except the score of the game, which really isn't Pasadena's fault. Since returning, life has been a bit of a whirlwind - Luke is at a conference this weekend, I'm away next weekend, etc.
In the meantime, however, I made a new pasta recipe that I'm enamored with, courtesy of my new Moosewood Simple Suppers cookbook. Here's what you do:
- Boil water and cook pasta - something small and chunky. I used bowties.
- chop up a bunch of onion, and cook on medium/medium low heat in a tablespoon or so of olive oil until they carmelize (turn brown but not burned).
- after the onions caremelize, add veggie stock or white wine or water or something to deglaze the pan - I used lemon juice and water - then take it off the heat
- crumble up a bunch of blue cheese.
- toss hot pasta with onions (and liquid), blue cheese, and little of the pasta water.
The cheese melts and gets all creamy and yummy. Its super rich. A great bowl of comfort food, that comes together in very little time. Yum!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
