pictures from oktoberfest

It was a great opening day of Oktoberfest yesterday. The day started cool and clear, and then the sun burned off the chill to bring the temperature up to a perfect 73 with a light breeze. We sold two baskets outright before the day began, then two more before noon. Another was sold before we left. The spirit of the place was good, the food smelled fab, and we all had fun. We arrived at 8:30 to unload church cookbooks and bring the change to the first shift folks, and ended up staying until 2:00. Don't ask. All is well.

Here are a few pictures from the day. Enjoy! Don't you wish you could come bid on some of our baskets?

The first shift in front of our booth of baskets

The much touted pretzel sticks in their packaging

stinkin' cute pails of candy

a favorite basket: devotional

the Blackhawk helicopter: watched it land: awesome!

 A quilter and her winning work (there were multiple categories, maybe more tomorrow)

prelude to oktoberfest

The annual Oktoberfest celebration in our community is this weekend. It is hosted by the local bank and held on the grounds of their main branch. It's full of everything: fair food (smell the grease?), live music, play space for kids, handcrafted items, local businesses and nonprofits, churches, the local hospital, and more. And for some reason, my favorite, a Blackhawk helicopter. I guess that has to do with my fascination with planes and such, and the fact that this is the kind of apparatus that ferries Kenneth around when he is deployed. It helps me picture him, even though that makes it a bit harder, if you know what I mean.

Look closely at the mug with the cat snacks. 

Do you not love those little mice sticking their faces up?

Anyway, you've heard about the themed gift baskets that the church is doing. They are all done, bowed, and ready for bid. I also got it into my head some time ago that I wanted to make chocolate-covered pretzels to sell. So make them I did! It's very easy, but doing it alone it was a bit time consuming. Still, they look great, and the first batch was sold in its entirety last night when we were setting up the booth! I made 11 more packs last night and then ran out of chocolate. I documented the process, below, minus the actual "dipping" and the finished, packaged look. I also filled these cute little pails (the ones Jayne shipped from Utah) with candy and tied them with ribbon, securing the ribbon with a sticker. Let me tell you, Martha Stewart's adhesive sticker border was the perfect accomplice for the latter. Pictures later of those.

My absolute favorite basket isn't a basket at all. My wonderful friend Nancy Rue, author of great kids, tween and adult books, donated some books from her "Sophie" series. I found a backpack to use as the basket, so they are assembled in the backpack, with some of the books in the bottom to act as counterweight to the books arranged above. There's also a hat, some bookmarks, and bracelets from Nancy. I hope that this sells for a great price.

That's a wrap for now, as I'm headed to the shower and then to the 'fest for a bit. Have a wonderful fall day. It's absolutely gorgeous here! 

friday five: connections

 

My main peeps (one of whom is deceased)

At RevGals Jan writes: I am currently reading Bowling Alone by Robert D. Putnam, where he explores the changes in community in the USA in the 20th Century. He explains how communities, people, and especially children function better when they live where there is high social capital. Basically, it means that "relationships matter."

So here are some questions to ponder for this Friday Five about connecting with:

This is something of a tender topic for me right now. Relationally I really don't have any friends locally, not with whom I am close. There are church people with whom I have good and close relationships, but we all know about the limits of such. The part of my life hardest hit by ministry is relationships. I am really missing close connections. My nearest confidante is more than two hours away.

1. Self: Who was your hero/heroine when you were about ten years old?
I have no idea. I don't know if I had one. Right now my physical therapist is my hero!

2. Family: Who are you most like? Who is most like you?
If we're talking about family, I am like both of my parents, strengths as well as deficits. I wish I had more of my mother's qualities and fewer of my father's. I don't have any kids, so I don't know that there is anyone "like" me, although I joke with my nephew that "we must be related" because of traits we have in common. I used to do that with my step-grandfather, too. I adored him.

3. Friends: How do you stay in touch?
The Internet: facebook, blogs, email. Occasionally the phone

4. Neighborhood, community: What are ways you like to be involved?
I had a much richer life before ministry. I was a very active Scottish country dancer, did lots of sewing, quilting, needlework, knitting... at church I was involved in a variety of lay ministries. I entertained a lot. Gardened. I have expanded my network of connections since ministry through Pampered Chef.

5. Job/church: Do you see a need that will help in developing connections?
Connections I make through church broaden my network of contacts, but they don't help me develop a balanced life. What I really need is a balanced life.

just call me the bow queen

We are less than 35 hours away from setting up the church's booth at the local Oktoberfest, which runs this weekend. We're auctioning themed gift baskets, like we did last year. And let me just tell you, they are so dang fun-looking! Pictures to come.

Last night I tolerated the western channel by keeping myself occupied creating bows for the baskets. The stash of ribbon we had left from last year's crop has gone missing (it's somewhere, I just don't remember where). Fortunately ribbon is on sale at Joann's, but one spool per bow is still pricey. Our florist ordered some stuff bulk, but it didn't work at all, so here we were, back at the drawing board. There are 15 bows here, and another 15 need to be fashioned. I have my work cut out for me! The challenge will be to find more ribbon--I felt like I was buying out the store, yesterday, and there's a limit to the use of Christmas colors at a fall event. Anyway...

There are still two baskets that need to be assembled, one needs to have a couple of items reinforced for packing, one more needs a couple of items added to give it more appeal (it's a "whodunit collection" of mysteries--what would you add to a basket of books to make it more sell-able?) and a couple of others need to be wrapped. Very doable, maybe even this morning.

I've also got some pretzel rods to dip in chocolate and roll in stuff to package for sale. I've never made these, but it's supposed to be easy, and I have fallen in love with chocolate-covered pretzel rods. These will be for sale.

And THEN, thanks to my blogging and crafting buddy Jayne, who saw my appeal on facebook a couple of weeks ago when I was looking for a source for these stinkin' cute pails and found them while she was out in Utah at a girlfest and then shipped them to me, we'll also have adorable, candy-filled pails decorated with ribbon to sell. I love doing this stuff!

And since there is obviously so much still to do, I guess I better get cracking. Stay tuned for further updates (or not). Have a great Thursday!

working toward normal

I know there's really no such thing as normal. There are things that may be normative--for me, personally, or for the culture at large--but normal is really what you make it.

It occurs to me this morning that I am a miserable failure these days at making normal.

Take this pumpkin. The dog is normal in my life (and isn't he/she just the sweetest thing?), but I can't remember the last time I bought a pumpkin, never mind bought one and carved it. A normal thing to do this time of year. A seasonal thing to do. An American thing to do, no matter your race, creed, or the color of your eyes.

My Mama raised me better than this. It's not that we made a big deal out of carving pumpkins when I was a child--Halloween was not a big deal for Mom in the decorating and go-all-out department--it's just something that came with the seasonal territory.

Of late I, we (as in Ken and I), don't take advantage of seasonal opportunities to get out into the world and play and participate and, well, be normal. I'm lamenting that. We have ruts. And when an occasion pops up to burst free of the rut we make noises about doing so and then, nothing. What is wrong with us? Aside from the fact that whatever we do needs to cost nothing, what is holding us back? When did we become fuddy-duddies?

I know it's the wrong season, but I think we need to declare our independence from the doldrums. Or at least I do. Somehow or other I need to generate the steam that can gather into momentum and propel me forward into doing and not just being. I'm pretty good at being, flaws notwithstanding.

The floor is now open to suggestions of things to consider doing in the coming weeks and months that will help break this stubborn mold of same old, same old. I'll start by suggesting that we go out and get a pumpkin.

where are david kelly and aaron sorkin when you need them?

It's almost amusing that the justice system seems to be at a loss on how to handle the despicable acts of the Westboro Baptist Church. Free speech seems to be trumping every legal objection that can be raised to quash the declarations of hate. Since the violation of privacy and emotional distress don't seem to carry any weight, I've been applying my simple mind to other alternatives for shutting up these declarations of hate.

That's why I'm in search of David Kelly and Aaron Sorkin, two of the greatest creative and genius minds I've seen work extraordinary magic when it comes to the intricacies of religion and law. Since I don't have ready access to either of them, this is what I've come up with by myself. Disclaimer: I have not done extensive research to support any of these ideas, so they may well be full of holes. Like I said, it's my simple mind at work...

1) On behalf of God, someone should file a defamation of character suit against WBC and the family Phelps. According to the NIV, there are three biblical texts that include the words "God hates...," two of them in Deuteronomy. The first (12:31) makes a vague reference to "the things the Lord hates." Without a list to delineate those things, we can assume nothing. The second warns against erecting sacred stones. God apparently hates those (12:22). This is unfortunate news to the celts, the picts and the druids. The third reference is found in the first letter of John: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." Here's the question though: has anyone heard members of the WBC say they love God?

The Message offers a few ideas of what God hates. Fags are not among them, nor are tears. But here's an interesting idea out of Proverbs (6:16): "Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family." Again, there's some vagueness, but I'm thinking that a pattern is emerging, which might be helpful.

2) The IRS doesn't seem particularly interested in yanking 501(k) status rights from churches, but there might be something, upon investigation, that the WBC does that puts that status at risk. Not that they would care.

3) Restraining orders, although there are lots of ways such an order could be challenged.

4) Claims of Harassment. This doesn't prevent demonstrations, but if enough families bring action it would tie the WBC up in court indefinitely, and drain their financial resources.

I'm open to other suggestions. Appealing to decency appears not to have any effect.

What I don't get is how this family benefits from their demonstrations (I don't think these qualify as protests, there's no evidence that they are protesting anything specific). Notoriety? So what? For what purpose? I don't think anyone is running to join their church. Bragging rights? Again, for what? All they seem to do is inflame.

All I can say is that I'd really like to be a proverbial fly on the wall come judgment day.

bobby mcferrin: psalm 23

I woke up with this echoing in my mind, and it just feels right to share it with you all this morning! It is such a gentle rendition!

friday five: fall word association

At RevGals Singing owl writes: Hello everyone! The Canada geese are excited, forming up and practicing, encouraging each other with honking, the Wisconsin fall color is at peak where I am ...  I know, fall is one way on this side of the world and different in other places, but please bear with me as I post words that say FALL--at least where I am.

Give us the the first word that comes to mind (you know how that works, right?) and then add a little something about why, or how or what.
1. Pumpkins patches. I grew up in Connecticut, where pumpkin patches were often clustered at Cider Mills. It was a one-stop shopping event. If memory serves we'd choose a large pumpkin for the family to carve, and I always begged to have a smaller one. You know, they were so cute!

2. Campfire S'mores! Several years ago the parish I was serving as interim had a fall hayride, followed by a cookout over the fire. Hot dogs, of course, followed by s'mores! It was great fun, and I regret that I was only there for one autumn to enjoy that tradition.

3. Apples Cider Mills (see above). And apple pie. My Mom and my Other Mother were a great pie team. Anna made the crust, Mom made the filling. I watched and waited for the results.

4. Color Fall in New England. It's been six years since I've been there in the fall, but it was a glorious one. There really is no better color anywhere. 

5. Halloween Making costumes. I think one of the most fun years was when a friend and my younger brother and I were "the Spirit of '76."  We weren't entirely accurate with our costumes: no drums or piccolo, and at least one of us carried an unloaded bb-gun. It was one of our more imaginative efforts, though

brace yourself...

(The following was sent to me in an email by a friend who teaches college history. I have made only one editing correction. No questions or answers were affected by this. Get the Kleenex ready, you will laugh so hard that you will cry. That, or pee in your pants.)

These questions were set in last year's GED examination. These are genuine answers .... and the responders WILL breed.

Q. Name the four seasons
 A. Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar

Q. Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink
 A. Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large  pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists

Q. How is dew formed
 A. The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire

Q. What causes the tides in the oceans
 A. The tides are a fight between the earth and the moon. All water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, and nature abhors a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins the fight

Q. What guarantees may a mortgage company insist on
 A. If you are buying a house they will insist that you are well endowed

Q. In a democratic society, how important are elections
 A. Very important. Sex can only happen when a male gets an election

Q. What are steroids
 A. Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs    (Shoot yourself now , there is little hope)

Q.. What happens to your body as you age
 A. When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental

Q. What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty
 A. He says goodbye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery      (So true)

Q. Name a major disease associated with cigarettes
 A. Premature death

Q. What is artificial insemination
 A. When the farmer does it to the bull instead of the cow

Q. How can you delay milk turning sour
 A. Keep it in the cow.             (Simple, but brilliant)

Q. How are the main 20 parts of the body categorised (e.g. The abdomen)
 A. The body is consisted into 3 parts - the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain, the borax contains the heart and lungs and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels: A, E, I,O,U.                (wtf!)                                               

Q. What is the fibula?
 A. A small lie

Q. What does 'varicose' mean?
 A. Nearby

Q. What is the most common form of birth control
 A. Most people prevent contraception by wearing a condominium     (That would work)

Q. Give the meaning of the term 'Caesarean section'
 A. The caesarean section is a district in Rome

Q. What is a seizure?
 A. A Roman Emperor.     (Julius Seizure, I came, I saw, I had a fit)

Q. What is a terminal illness
 A. When you are sick at the airport.    (Irrefutable)

Q. Give an example of a fungus. What is a characteristic feature?
 A. Mushrooms. They always grow in damp places and they look like umbrellas

Q. Use the word 'judicious' in a sentence to show you understand its meaning
 A. Hands that judicious can be soft as your face      (OMG)

Q. What does the word 'benign' mean?
 A. Benign is what you will be after you be eight   (brilliant)

  Q. What is a turbine?
 A. Something an Arab or Shreik wears on his head

all's well that ends

We're taking the day off from our book study this morning. Can I get an "Amen!" on that? After two weeks of working round-the clock on all things church, I am quite ready for the break.

I actually slept in yesterday, a day ahead of schedule. It was worth it. When I did get up, get my coffee and head to the computer, an email informed me that one of my soloists for last night's breast cancer service had a sore throat and would not be able to participate. Oh, and I went to bed the night before not knowing if the organist had the music for the piece. The extra sleep notwithstanding, I had a little cry-fest. I spent the rest of the morning going back and forth with the organist, the remaining soloist, visiting web sites and listening to youtube rendtitions of possible replacement tunes. Thank goodness the bulletin hadn't been printed yet, so I didn't have to waste that effort.

Fast forward. I finished the homily (a rare thing, to have a text from which to preach!), drafted the prayers, printed the bulletin, helped Ken with appetizers for the reception, and actually went shopping! Hey, I had a coupon for $10 off, and on Tuesdays folks like me get a 20% discount. A little retail therapy was a smart move, and got me out into the sunshine.

The service went well and was suitably lovely, though attendance was pitiful. I've already made notes about how to promote this better last year, and chatted with a survivor about how to get the word out to the survivor community. Still, it's a start, and the heavy lifting (creating the service, choosing music) has already been done.

My heart is especially grateful for the people who came last night, served during the service, and for those who helped create a beautiful reception. Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I gots me some good people.

a weekend of blessing

It was a gorgeous fall day yesterday, and we started it with some adorable four-legged critters! That's Lani and Emma here. We blessed Jake and Izzie, too. Low turnout, which was a shame, especially since we had such a good time!

After the blessing I headed over to Cumberland University for the homecoming tailgate event. We had fun there, too, and were so grateful for a beautiful day and a win for the Bulldogs! I headed home to give the dogs some relief, then back to Cumberland I went for the "Live on the Lawn" concert. In the shadow the building that served as backdrop to the bands it was pleasantly cool until a wind kicked up. Fortunately I had my trusty sweatshirt and all was well while I listened to some good music. Then all of a sudden I remembered that the bulletins for church weren't finished. I had offered to do them so that Yolande, our trusty bulletin printer, had company this weekend. Back to the church I went, finished the bulletin, put together a couple more gift baskets, then headed home.

We're dedicating our new garden and plantings this morning at church. It's chilly now, but by 10:30 it should be pleasant and comfortable to stroll the grounds and do our thing.

Need to feed the dogs and take care of them before heading off to church. Hope it's a glorious day for you wherever you are!

PS -- I've tried to leave comments on several blogs this morning and keep getting a service error (these were blogger blogs). After the sixth attempt I abandoned ship and came here to let you know. Will try to get back to you later!

blessings on the beasts

My favorite picture from last year's blessing when we went 

to the local campground to bless the pets 

of the homeless population there (other campers, too).

We honor St. Francis today with our annual blessing of the animals. I'm trying to steal a moment here before heading to the church for that occasion. When that's over I'll head to the university for homecoming events and to hang out at the church booth!

It's been a loooonnnng week. And to think that I forgot to mention that I had a newsletter to write and put out when I itemized my list of to dos earlier! It turned out to be eight pages long--not bad for a small, struggling church! At least we're busy while we're at it.

Ken is off to the mountain this weekend on the closing retreat with his Companions in Christ class. It's been a great experience for him to lead the group, and though he's been ambivalent at times about doing it again immediately (January), I think the impending reality that he will miss his role, and the community formed, has led him to offer it again. So says the newsletter, anyway!

Tomorrow we dedicate our new plantings, and I am even fairly relaxed about Tuesday's breast cancer service. I've recruited two wonderful sopranos to sing Andrew Lloyd Webber's Pie Jesu. They will sing at the end of the service, before the blessing and dismissal, and while they sing members of the congregation will be invited to light congregational candles from the pascal candle in the sanctuary, a symbol of the lives lost whose light shines on in love and our memories. At the dismissal those with candles will be asked to place them in a large metal tub filled with sand outside the door, where the collective light will shine and burn until the candles burn out. I get goosebumps thinking about it. Now we just cross our fingers and offer prayers that people will come to the service! It DID get a "best bets" write up in the coming events section of the paper yesterday. Thank you for that, Tennessean!

Off to get dressed and try to visit blogs before I head out the door. I sure have missed you all this week!

friday five: on the job

At RevGals, Kathryn writes: This week, despite substantial planning, the staff here has been reeling a bit from the wave of fall start-up programming combined with conversations looking towards Advent and Christmas. There is a lot to be excited about (Children's Choir sounded great!), but there are also some things that we just have to suck it up and get through (didn't we just do Officer Training last year?).

So for today's Friday 5 I thought we'd hit on the things that give us energy in ministry and the things that take it away:

1) What are a few of the tasks that you find tedious/energy sucking in your ministry position? Please note I said 'tasks' not people :)

Vestry meetings. The items on which we take action area usually in the works anyway, and decisions are generally foregone conclusions. I'd rather meet when there is serious work on the table, when we can be productive and creative.  In a small parish where I am the only staff, too much administrative stuff falls on me. I don't mind the work, but too many things don't get done because they are lower on the priority list.

2) Is there anything you could do to make one of them better?

I'm so glad you asked! I'm putting together an administrative team of lay volunteers to help with some of the administrative stuff. Praying that God will nudge those people to action so that some of the things we've wanted to be doing can actually become a reality.

3) What are a few of the tasks that you find energizing in ministry?

I love baptisms, especially babies. And leading the liturgy. Being part of hospitality and creative efforts. Our women's group is putting together gift baskets for silent auction, and I'm the one who actually "makes them pretty." It's time consuming (and I consider it volunteer time), but it's satisfying.  Producing the parish newsletter. Again, it's the creative thing: writing, graphics, layout... I also enjoy being part of outreach efforts. The picture above is from our first spaghetti dinner, the money from which established a scholarship fund for international students at our local university. We need to build the fund to the point where it will become an endowed scholarship fund ($10,000). When that happens we will celebrate in a really big way!

4) If given a quarterly spiritual day, how would you want to spend it?

The first thing I'm going to say here is that a quarterly spiritual day doesn't depend on being given. Take it. And for most of us I would say that such a day would benefit us monthly. I have the "luxury" of working part time, so getting some time for myself comes more easily than it would if I were working full time. When I worked in another city I had a colleague in a different tradition with whom I met for breakfast once a month. Those were long breakfasts (sometimes three hours!), and the day+ that followed that meeting was always productive and newly energized.

How would I want to spend a spiritual day? Somewhere with a beautiful view, a good book and a journal, peace and quiet, and where I didn't have to prepare my meals.

5) If given a quarterly spiritual day, how would you actually spend it?

I would try to spend a quarterly day as described above. During the intervening months, however, I would quilt, or maybe enjoy a day with a girlfriend shopping and indulging in a long, leisurely lunch.

BONUS: What would your Dream Ministry job include?

My dream job is to operate a retreat center with the ambiance of a nice B&B. It would include a collection of well-behaved dogs that could be "adopted" while guests were on retreat. It would include a gallery where the art work of children from the community would hang on the walls. It would include a studio where creative types could spend some time creating, (painters would need to bring their own supplies but I'd provide the easel). It would include a worship space called The Chapel of Mary and Martha. Guest rooms would have comfortable, upholstered chairs, and quilts on the bed. And good reading lamps. There would be a library with an amazing collection of books both spiritual/theological and otherwise. It would have a spacious common room with lots of windows, a fireplace, tall ceilings and comfy chairs. A view would be great.


Now if only I had some money I'd make this happen!

good fences make...

...great opportunities for a garden!

Our next door neighbors asked us if we minded if they erected a fence between our driveways. With a small extension on their house that enclosed what used to be a patio, the area of their driveway between the house and detached garage has become their patio. Their family is there quite a bit, and shooting hoops with the grandchildren is a popular activity. They were after a little privacy, or so they say. My own hunch is that since they are out on their blacktop patio so much, they were tired of looking at what I refer to as our "white trash" look. I may allow clutter to accumulate in places within our house, but Ken's clutter decorates the out of doors. No, I won't be sharing any pictures--you can just take my word for it that it isn't pretty.

I don't protest the shabby-unchic outdoor decor because I know that a rebuttal protest about my clutter would follow quickly. I've made great strides reducing indoor clutter, not to mention preventing it from accumulating in the first place, though there are certainly days--and weeks--that get the better of me.

But back to the fence. We're grateful that it's an attractive section of fence, and since the look is rather bare, I immediately thought that softening it with greenery would be a way to look on the bright side of this new, aesthetic addition. I'm thinking of combining some small, evergreen shrubbery with a mix of perennials that provide color through the blooming season. Iris (we've got lots that need t o be divided and relocated)--the Tennessee state flower, for spring blooms; rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan) for summer; and I'm not sure yet for fall. (Gardeners, feel free to offer suggestions!) When I mentioned this to Ken he said he wanted climbing roses. We'll see. The first order of business is to repair the weed-whacker, which has a tiller attachment, so that we can get the soil turned, loosened, and mixed with some decent topsoil and mulch. After that? With any luck, come spring I'll have photographic evidence of what a silver lining looks like.

full speedy-deedy ahead

Some days I feel as though I'm in a yellow submarine, weaving with and through the currents of life in an effort to get to the next destination: checking something of the perpetual list!

I've got a full week of events on the calendar: conference calls, PC training, giving blood, physical therapy, bible book study, assembling and wrapping gift baskets at the church for a fundraiser, pastoral calls. Those are the things already on the schedule, and of course, others will position themselves front and center for attention. By the time weekend hits I'll be in full throttle: Saturday we are blessing animals in honor of St. Francis, and then I'll peel off one set of togs and don another to head to the homecoming tailgate party at the local university. We'll be handing out sweet goodies like we did a couple of weeks ago. Next Sunday we will dedicate our new landscaping and garden (made lovelier yesterday at a work day!). The following Tuesday we hold Prayers of Pink, a service to remember and honor  those afflicted with breast cancer. These latter items all need additional attention paid to them: three distinct liturgies need to be put together, with bulletins created and printed, hospitality arranged for a reception, and participants recruited. I get weary just thinking about all that lies ahead in the next ten days!

Forgive me if I'm absent here and there. My days will likely be rushed, and even though I cherish my morning time with coffee and catching up with blogs and facebook, I suspect there will be casualties from the craziness. But keep a look-out. You might just catch a glimpse of a speeding yellow submarine passing by. If so, know that I'm waving madly to you from within.

coffin compassion

A picture in yesterday's paper was part of an editorial about DADT. It showed the interior of an Air Force C-130 filled with flag-draped coffins. The caption read: "which one is the gay soldier?" The picture and caption were the editorial.

Seeing the picture-- while the surrounding text was a blur without my glasses-- reminded me of the controversy surrounding the ban of photographing and publishing soldiers' coffins during the Bush administration, and the lifting of that ban that took place shortly after Obama took office. Bush's rationale aside, I recall that an argument in favor of the ban was that photos taken of coffins was an invasion of privacy of the families of those fallen soldiers. I have a different take on this issue that I never saw reported (which doesn't mean it wasn't). The photo here speaks to it.

With all due respect to the families of soldiers killed in the service of their country, I don't see how the publishing of photographs showing coffins is an invasion of privacy. As the caption in yesterday's paper implies, the remains in any coffin viewed in such a setting are anonymous. We don't know who, specifically, is in those coffins. What we know is that a soldier lost his or her life, most likely in combat.

It is important to me to see these pictures for the following reasons. It affords me an opportunity to take a moment to pray for those who have died and for their families and loved ones. It brings home to me the sacrifices made by our soldiers and their families. As the (step) mother of a soldier who served six tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, it reminds me to give thanks that his life was spared in the face of the dangers that were inherent in his missions.

I'd like to think that if I were standing on the tarmac at Dover AFB receiving the coffin that held my son I would not take offense at a photograph that included his coffin. I believe, instead, that I would feel pride that in this poignant moment of face-slapping reality, his life and his loss would be captured for all the world to see. It is images such as these that keep us from becoming complacent about the personal cost of war. If a photograph depicting my personal loss could serve as such a reminder, I believe I would be glad, and grateful for its existence.

This view has nothing to do with politics. It's not about whether or not we should be at war. It's about human hearts, loss and grief, and how we are all connected to one another. It's my point of view.

friday five: joyful noise

At RevGals Mary Beth writes: Music is a part of the human experience, and part of religious traditions the world over. It is evocative and stirring, and many forms of worship are incomplete without it.

Our title comes from a quote popularly attributed to St. Augustine: "He who sings prays twice." A little Googling, however, indicates that Augustine didn't say exactly that. In fact, what he said just doesn't fit well onto a t-shirt. So we'll stick with what we have.

"Singing reduces stress and increases healthy breathing and emotional expression. Singing taps into a deep, age-old power available to all of us. When we find our voice, we find ourselves. Today, sing like you mean it." And let's talk about the role music plays in your life and worship.
 
1) Do you like to sing/listen to others sing? In worship, or on your own (or not at all?)

I love to sing. I sing along with songs, sing or hum to myself, in my head, while walking the dog (quietly, though). I have an adequate voice and can generally carry a tune. I also love singing in parts. I'm an alto, and I try to offer up that voice in church, where every voice is needed! Every now and then I join the choir for the prelude, just because.

2) Did you grow up with music in worship, or come to it later in life? Tell us about it, and how that has changed in your experience.I grew up in the unprogrammed tradition of Quakers, which translates as no music in worship. We had singalongs every now and then, and there were a handful of staples like Kum Ba ya, and We Shall Overcome. I got really tired of those. But we also sang rounds, which seems like a lost art. No one seems to sing rounds anymore. Sad face. Oddldy enough one of my favorite rounds is one I learned at a Quaker youth weekend. I learned it in the bathroom, since the acoustics were so good in there! Unfortunately no one seems to know this song at all, so I never get to sing it except alone. Can't find it on you tube. If I could figure out how to record it on the computer I'd give that a try!

One of the things I LOVE about being an episcopalian is the opportunity to sing. 

3) Some people find worship incomplete without music; others would just as soon not have it. Where do you fall?I grew up with silent worship, and thanks to that, I can endure silence for a very long time. I love hymns, too, and since church is the only place I really get to sing them, I prefer music in worship.

4) Do you prefer traditional music in worship, or contemporary? That can mean many different things!

I'm a traditional gal. Give me Bach any day.

5) What's your go-to music ... when you need solace or want to express joy? A video/recording will garner bonus points!

I like my music with a "C." Country, Classical and Celtic, and not necessarily in that order. I'm especially fond of baroque music and The Brandenburg Concertos, Alasdair Fraser and the Secret Garden, Ty Herndon and Sugarland (check out Jennifer Nettles' voice control at 2:40--love her voice, and I've gotten used to the twang), and almost anything by the late Dan  Fogelberg.

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calling dr. welby

Oh, for the good old days, when you could trust your doctor and feel some assurance that you were in the best possible hands for medical care. These days? Not so much! At least that is the case as I watch people around me receive questionable care.

Who am I to judge? I don't have a medical degree of any kind, but I do pay attention to the world around me. I try to be informed. I listen to the stories of the people in my life and in my care. I consult my father (a retired physician) when I need to, and my son-in-law, fairly fresh out of med school, too. I think I have some common sense, and I wasn't born yesterday.

Last week a parishioner was admitted to the hospital with a fever and a diagnosis of diverticulitis with a tiny perforation in her colon. Mega doses of antibiotics were given to her while the doctor "considered the options." "I don't practice aggressive medicine," he told her. "Let's wait and see what happens." Alarm bells are going off in my head. For one thing, my favorite aunt died from just such a situation, but I have done my best to keep that in perspective. Sunday, day six of "Jane's" hospital stay, I asked her if she was okay with the passive course of treatment. She said yes, she trusted her doctor. But dang it all, her temperature was back and she was still in pain. HELLO!! Anyone paying attention? We learned late yesterday that Tuesday she had surgery. A massive infection had set in in her colon and now in place of a colon she has a colostomy bag. I am beyond upset about this.


A week ago, following a diagnosis of cancer in the left kidney and bladder, "Ron" had a procedure that we understood was going to be to go after the cancer in the bladder. Turns out it was just a biopsy to see how far the cancer had spread in the bladder. Performed by his doctor. There has been no referral to an oncologist. The doctor doesn't think a pet-scan (feel free to correct the spelling, I've only heard the word, never seen it in print) is necessary. Hmm. Ron is 82 years old, and the course of treatment just might be impacted by knowing if there are cancer cells rummaging around elsewhere in his body.  Ken and I are ready to pull our hair out!

I have been very fortunate in my life to have been exposed to high standards of care when it comes to people and animals, so my own expectations for care are likewise high. What I am seeing lately does not come close to quality, and it certainly doesn't look anything like care. Sign me up to join more fervently in the health care debate.

and the winner is...

Sandy, at The Table! Congratulations Sandy! I need to reorder the petite bamboo spoons, but once those have arrived and I have your address, they'll be on their way to you! Thanks, everybody, who played. It was fun to read about your cool weather favorites!

In the meantime I'm still waiting for the temperatures here to cool (95 yesterday, sheesh) before I really start rubbing my hands together and cackling with joy. But I'm dreaming of some some great fall dishes, soups and stews. Pampered Chef has a new soups and stews cookbook that I am eager to try, and I know there will be some new favorites there.

There's not much in the way of other news. Church is good, PC could be better (my own fault), Ken is still struggling with his arthritis, and McKinlee still has inconsistent bladder habits. Dang but she's a puzzle!

Bible book study this morning--we're trying something a little different that I hope will generate more interest than what we were doing. We're starting with Harold Gomes' The Good Book, a NYT bestseller. Who knows, tomorrow there may be a bbs report!

Hope all is well with y'all. Off to do my chores before heading to the church!

time for a giveaway!

The everlasting heat and humidity of summer made me feel as though I was stuck in time. Imagine my surprise, then, when I went to edit yesterday's post and saw that it was post 1000!  Benchmark! Time for a giveaway.

Although it is still fairly warm here during the day--hitting 90 isn't a stretch on some days--the humidity makes less frequent appearances, there are some cool days, and the nights and early mornings are very pleasant. Ahhh... Prelude to fall.

Fall is a time of transition for many of us on many fronts, and can incorporate new beginnings. One such new beginning for me is the new line of Pampered Chef products, which, this season, includes lots of bamboo. My giveaway, therefore, will be a set of bamboo snack bowls with a pair of petite bamboo serving spoons. They're heavenly!

A transition for me at this time of year has to do with recipes. Fall introduces seasonal foods and ingredients, and we begin a return to foods that are heated in preparation. Noble Pig, a favorite food blog, recently posted a recipe for pork and mushroom stew served over apple-potato mash. That caught my attention! I'm not a huge mushroom fan, but the recipe in its totality sounds (and looks) amazing. I'm looking forward to trying it soon.

To be part of the giveaway I'd love for you to share what seasonal foods or recipes you look forward to preparing or eating. Is there a recipe you are eager to make now that cooler temps are making an appearance? How about a favorite pub for shepherd's pie? Let us know in the comments, and on Tuesday I'll draw the winner.

Enjoy your Sunday, and bon appetit!

mama said there'd be days like this

I was at the grocery store yesterday, and stopped by the pharmacy to say hello to "my girls." I have gotten to know the head of the pharmacy and the woman who generally works with her, and if they aren't totally swamped (which is usually) we have a few minutes to talk. It's a bright spot in my shopping adventure.

The head pharmacist, whom I will call Sarah (haven't you always wondered what name you would give someone when you wanted to an identity?) has been telling me for months that she wants to have a PC show. She has told me to keep calling her about it because she is so busy that she just can't keep it at the top of her list. So I call her. Yesterday she told me that she had gotten my messages but hadn't been able to call me back because she'd been out of town. New York.

Oh! I say. Business or pleasure?

Business. Her husband's business. It turns out he was there to be honored for his role during 9/11 recovery efforts.

Wonderful, I say. She tells me more, and then says, "just don't ask him about the mosque." I am cringing inside. I say nothing. She goes on. A rant begins to form. The words "this is MY country!" issue forth. It's "their" country, too. "THEY didn't lose loved ones." Ah, but "they" did. I continue my silence. Build the mosque anywhere else but there. I continue my silence. And then.

"I can tell by your face. You think they should put the mosque there." I reply, honestly, "it doesn't matter to me where it's built, but I don't have a problem with it being there." She takes that in, but continues her rant. I really hate this. I don't remember what it was she said that made me, finally, open my mouth. I don't regret the first things I said, but then I offered, "Timothy McVeigh was a Christian." The rage that came across her face was unmistakable. She said nothing in response, and was perhaps glad that she was alerted to a customer at the end of the counter. She moved away.

The tech, who stood by throughout the whole thing, resumed a conversation that we had begun earlier. She didn't betray any discomfort, but it sure seemed like she was making an attempt to save me from self-recrimination. Thank you, God, for Jennifer.

I came home with a heavy heart. I should know better. It isn't that the things I said can't be said, but it was clear that this was a very sore subject with Sarah, whom I consider a friend. I thought about calling and leaving a message on her phone to apologize for upsetting her. I considered, in the end, to let it go, with the hope that we'll just move past it and carry on.

Locally, a group opposed to the construction of an Islamic cultural center has filed a lawsuit against the mayor, county commission and planning commission to stop construction. Apparently there's a temporary injunction in place. Sheesh.

How did we get here?

an inconvenient truth of a different kind

Sooooo, after a week of media nonsense covering the abhorrent and irrational Quran-burning stunt, the rubber hit the road here. I lamented previously that I wasn’t sure how to speak out on the issue about which I feel passionately. And then, DUH, I came to grips with the idea that it was time to do what I already knew I needed to do: speak.

With the media train wreck as backdrop and the political maneuvering as the painting on that canvas, I tackled something that had been bothering me throughout this episode. While I certainly agree that burning the Quran, or any holy book, is anathema and contrary to American values, the action by a Christian is more wretchedly contrary to Christian values. Why wasn’t anyone saying so? So I did.  Sunday morning in my sermon.

I noted that burning a holy book was unchristian. Why? Let’s start with the commandment of Christ to love our neighbor. That’s right, commandment. Jesus commands us to love our neighbor. There is no equivocating. Love. Neighbor. It may not be easy and it may not be comfortable, but it is that simple.

Let’s move on to something else Jesus said. Pray for your enemies. I’ll paraphrase for context. Pray for those whom we consider to be our enemies. I don’t think Muslims are our enemies, but there are people in my congregation who do.

I mentioned that if we have hate in our heart then we are failing God. The gospel was about the sheep that was lost and separated from the flock. I suggested that a heart full of hate was the heart that was lost to Christ and separated from God. Okay, I more than I suggested it, I said it outright.

I acknowledged that these words might be hard for some to hear, but I also stated that they needed to be said to be true to the savior we follow. I noted that Jesus didn’t preach repentance to those of other faiths, but to those of his own faith whose lives reflected hypocrisy rather than obedience.

I think I hit some nerves. It wasn’t my intention, but I did know that it was a risk. One couple walked out, though they did so discreetly.

Two members of my vestry showed up for last night’s meeting. Two out of seven. Of the remaining five, one had surgery that morning, so I didn’t expect him. One was going to be late, so she was accounted for. It turns out that one was tending his sister who had surgery that morning as well. Apparently the remaining two decided to boycott the meeting as a form of protest to my scriptural reference from Matthew (5:44) where Jesus tells us to love our enemies. So I’m told. Apparently they don’t have any intention of loving or praying for Muslims, and don’t cotton to the idea of being told to do so. Especially by a woman, I suspect.

Here’s the thing. I’m not having any trouble sleeping. It was a tough sermon to preach, but I have no regrets. If our church loses members because I spoke the truth, then that will be too bad. And sad. Sad, especially, because boycotting the vestry meeting didn’t hurt me, it hurt the people who elected these leaders to serve them.

Many members of the congregation told me they appreciated the sermon. More than a few thanked me for preaching it. I didn’t experience any hostility during the remainder of Sunday’s activities, so I don’t think this will amount to much. It feels more like an interesting footnote, though I am weighing my options on what, if anything, to do next. I'd be interested in your thoughts.

We do live in interesting times, no?

checking in

These have been a busy few days. Last weekend a batch of us were part of the tailgate gang at our local university for their first home football game. We gave out baked goodies (brownies, peanut butter cookies, yum...). We were also treated to the lovely voice of country music artist Erika Jo, the 2005 winner of TV's Nashville Star. She's a local girl, and attended the university for a couple of years. She even came and crashed with us for a while after he singing stint was over. It was a hot day, but fun.

The launch of the church year always swallows me whole, especially if I am doing any teaching. Which, for the first six weeks, I am. One down, five to go.

I've got two folks in the hospital, one being moved to a nursing home, and others are struggling with chronic concerns. Still another starts each day wondering if it will be her last. Her body, betrayed by a rare auto-immune disease, struggles daily with threats to her heart, the roller-coaster response to steroid treatments for an ailment, diabetes, and financial distress. My prayers are bursting at the seams.

On the flip side, the women of the church had a ladies night out last night and we laughed ourselves silly. Fun times, this group. Fun, fun times.

I've got shows to schedule for Pampered Chef, prep for Sunday's sermon and education class, planning for our community breast cancer worship service in two and a half weeks, and a soprano to find for the latter. I'm playing hooky on Saturday and attending a college football party. Go Gators!

I love fall, but the pace is a killer.

Keeping things light, what fun stuff do you have planned in the coming days? Can I come? I need a little more fun in my life.

the color of my world

I love this zebra. I love it for its rendering and softness. I love it for its color. And I love that it makes me think about uniqueness and the surprise that all individuals hold for us if we only take the time to see them.

It is the latter for which I feel grateful this morning. Enormously grateful. I have my parents, particularly, to thank for the willingness and desire to look at life with eyes wide open. There are many others who, in supporting roles, reinforced the value that all people are to be seen and appreciated for who they are, and not who we might want them to be. We might think that who they are has to do with their gender, the color of their skin, the language they speak, the disability with which they live, and the peculiar snort in their laughter. I beg you not to stop there.

In the sad public display of so much disregard for others that seems to have become the norm in the world, I am reminded that even though I believe we are all capable of opening our hearts, too many don't even know that they have the ability to do so. Hence my deep gratitude for the lives that influenced mine.

When I stop to consider the opportunities I have every day to learn from the people who cross my path, I am astounded that so many others are denied that same blessing because they choose fear over transformation. What is particularly sad to me is that living with such fear is normal for so many.

As a result of contracting polio as a child, one of my father's legs is markedly shorter and smaller than the other. He walks with a pronounced limp, but I never saw his gait as a limp until I was a teenager. In my world living with a disability was normal.

Where I went to school a significant number of my classmates were absent for the holy days of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah. In my world to be Jewish was normal.

I was born and grew up in New England. My grandmother's family was from the south. In my world to speak with an accent that differed from the community in which I lived was normal.

My parents had friends and colleagues whose nationalities and skin color didn't resemble those of our neighbors. In my world to refer to a person by their name and not a label was normal.

The year I was born my great aunt was ordained in the Presbyterian Church. In my world being a woman in a man's world was normal.

By the time I went to seminary I was an Episcopalian, my parents were Quaker, one brother was agnostic, one sister-in-law was Jewish, and my other brother and his wife were Buddist. You won't be surprised to hear me say that in my world, a family's diversity of faith is normal.

These experiences were part of shaping my norms, but the experiences of others help me to expand my notion of what is normal every day. Like my friends whose lives are colored by autism, or whose diets are restricted by celiac disease. There are others whose family has been devastated by suicide, or loss through violent death. Still others were shaped by the shadow of alcoholism or physical abuse. A high school classmate lost her sight when glass shattered into her eyes in a car accident. A college classmate died from a bee sting.

It gets harder and harder to define what is normal.

both/and

It was a tough and glorious day yesterday at church. Let me start with the glorious part.

We welcomed twenty people who have chosen to call our church "home" during the last year. That's 50 percent of our average attendance. To those who keep saying, "we need to get more people in church!" I hope the visual image of those 20 people standing in front of the church being welcomed and blessed conveyed the reality that people ARE finding their way to our door and deciding to stay. Thank you, God, for blessing all of us with the richness that is this growth.

Two recent family additions add five kids to our ranks. A first-time visitor yesterday, a denominational transplant from California, came with her two young children. Our Sunday school program now stands a chance of putting down roots and sending out shoots of growth. We had twenty adults in the adult education hour. Amen. Amen.

The weather yesterday was equally glorious, an outward and visible sign of the inward grace that danced and sang throughout our day. My soul feels as though it has been kissed with divine, abiding love. I pray that the elation can be sustained for just a little while to keep the weight of other challenges from making their odious presence known.

The tough part of the day was, in a sense, the dark side of its glory. Within two minutes of my arrival one of our members shared with me his diagnosis of cancer. While the potluck meal was being cleared away and the cheerful voices of the morning began to depart, a new member shared the pain of her life that, then and now, evokes tears. In the parking lot, waiting in the car for Ken to lock up the building, another member poured out his stress and the challenges that burden his health daily, including that his family is living on the edge of bankruptcy.

Every community is made up of people with stories that echo these. That the pain should emerge in the presence of yesterday's joy doesn't surprise me. It's just that it's been awhile in this place since either have been present with the kind of pulse that is now apparent. It's the vineyard of life, and ministry.

My prayer life has a more vital pulse, too--an indication of the kind of terrain through which I now move, and a measure of what is at stake for the people I serve, and for me. Lord, have mercy. Amen. Alleluia!

tending the fire

In the dining hall of my alma mater a fireplace is tucked into the wall at one end. It goes mostly unused, but the lintel above the fireplace and the words inscribed on it are read every day. When I dined in that hall I not only read them every day but repeated the words to myself over and over again.

It was like dousing my head with buckets of warm water to recite those words. The rhythm of them washed over me and embraced me, inspiring me to be part of the energy at the heart of its message. The phrase? They gathered sticks and kindled a fire and left it burning.

These many years later I am turning the words over again in my head thanks to a letter that came from my college president yesterday. In that letter he talks about these words and how they reflect a core value of the students and alumni that claim Earlham College as their own.

What I didn't know until reading this letter is that the words themselves come from a captain's log book as he got ready to set sail the Quaker vessel Woodhouse to America in the late 1600's. He was remarking upon "the good purposes and passions" of those aboard heading to a new world. It is those purposes and passions that get kindled in a place like Earlham, and in communities everywhere, where the desire to address the needs of the world and the common good draw out the best of what people have within themselves.

As a certain book-burning event that has received too much notice and publicity in recent weeks draws near, I want to add sticks to a fire kindled of love and compassion. I want it to burn so brightly that any fire set of hate is obscured from view, or better yet, consumed in the flames of justice and mercy. My dilemma is how to do that. How do I, in my small world with a limited sphere of influence and a voice unheard by too many intolerant ears, make an impact? I want the light of my fire to blast through the bushel that obscures it, radiating so brilliantly that it attracts others who want to be a part of this kind of love and light.

I believe we have all been entrusted with the fire kindled by faith and left, also by faith, for others to find and stoke. It is my turn, along with those of this time and generation, to keep the fire burning and help it to blaze brightly.  I invite you to gather sticks and join me in this effort. Together we will keep this fire burning.

continuity

This morning I'm thinking about Cape Cod. I know a lot of people are reflecting on Labor Day, and in particular the lack of labor opportunities available to many in our poor economy. But I am thinking about The Cape, and the continuity it has provided in my life.

I think continuity is important--a place that, no matter what other things change in life: homes, schools, work, people--having at least a singular place that holds fast and sure in the midst of change offers us grounding. Continuity of place provides a link to our past, to our memories, and to our formation. It connects us to sights and smells, creaky doors and familiar paintings that hang on walls.

For the first eighteen years of my life The Cape was Hyannisport, where a cousin had a summer home and where we were invited to come for our vacations. It is where I learned to row a boat, and eventually, by paying attention, to sail. It was during those visits with Mer (as we called her--her initials were MER) that I learned from her how to do needlepoint. It was there that my grandmother taught me to use my right foot on both the accelerator and brake when driving, in the event that I ever drove a car with a standard transmission and needed my left foot for the clutch. It was there that we stood at the edge of the yard overlooking the harbor and watched Marine One fly into the Kennedy Compound when JFK was president.

a favorite picture, not sure why!

When Mer sold the house visits to the Cape shifted to camping expeditions, and then rentals in other locations. Where we lay our heads may have changed, but The Cape was familiar, and any place on it felt like home. Maybe it was the smell of the sea, the sound of wind through the scrub brush, or the prickly stems of beach plums. Maybe it was the architecture, or the constant presence of sand on our feet, or the names of the towns that reflected its lineage to Indian habitations that made it feel like one huge neighborhood. No matter. It is a place that holds a piece of my soul, and where a part of me was set free.

For many years Mom was at The Cape over Labor Day weekend, and when I lived close enough to visit her there I took advantage of that opportunity. Now I revel in memories and fondness, and give thanks that my life held the opportunity to know and enjoy that special place.

What about you. Is there a place of continuity in your life that brings peace to your heart?

finding inspiration in the fashion world

I love Tim Gunn.
And I love his trademark phrase to designers on Project Runway, "Make it work!"
So I decided to appropriate Tim's challenging encouragement for my quest for directorship with Pampered Chef. Courtesy of my friend Roy's Photoshop expertise, Tim is holding the Director Express booklet that forms the basis of the seminar. I've added the slogan.
This mini-poster is printed out and hangs in the vicinity of my work area, a reminder that I have both a goal and the capacity to reach it.

Thanks, Tim. See you on the runway.

friday five: stormy weather

At RevGals Martha writes: I'm listening this morning for word of Hurricane Earl. Is he coming to visit, or will he bypass my part of Maine and move further Downeast, or veer toward Nova Scotia? Should I buy those bottles of water, just in case wind brings branches and power lines down? And how many times will the tracking map change today?

Herewith, a Friday Five about the storms of life:

1) What's the most common kind of storm in your neck of the woods?
That would be tornadoes! We haven't had any come close to us where we live, but two communities north and south of us haven't been so lucky. I just did a PC show for a friend who lost her house two years ago in one of those tornadoes. She's now back in her band new house!

2) When was the last time you dealt with a significant power outage?
The most significant power outage on record in my life goes back to when I was in high school, and living in Connecticut. It was mid-December, and we had one helluva snow and ice storm that took out power in vast areas. Weather conditions hampered recovery efforts, so we were without power for several days, and out of school for a week.  We bundled up, cooked with gas, and made an adventure out of it.

3) Are you prepared for the next one?
Are we ever prepared? We lived through the downpours that became the Great Flood of 2010 here in Nashville, but we did not suffer personally. My husband is retired military and knows a great deal about survival, so I feel in good hands in that department.

4) What's the weather forecast where you are this weekend?
We appear to be in for a treat with nice days and cool nights this weekend. Glory Hallelujah! Not sure how we'll celebrate, but we'll think of something!

5) How do you calm your personal storms?
Prayer, kleenex, journaling, candles, walking the dogs. And talking to my mother.

going for it

I have been very fortunate this week to be able to participate in some excellent Pampered Chef training. One of those sessions was an all day seminar called "Director Express," jam-packed coaching on how to intensify efforts to promote to the director level in 90 days. The seminar was full of information, how-tos, and motivational encouragement (as opposed to motivational platitudes).

Several days prior to attending the seminar I was reading a book recommended to me by my PC director, Stephanie. It's called The Aladdin Factor, by Jack Canfield of various forms of soup-for-the-soul fame. It's about asking for what you want, and is full of testimonials from people whose life-changing experiences support the notion that asking for what you want can lead to getting what you want out of life. Sounds all very self-help, I know, but I found myself highly motivated by what I was reading, and inspired to make some decisions.

One of the things Stephanie emphasizes in our training is that visualizing our goals helps to achieve them. Until a few days ago I had no specific goal to which I could attach an image. Yes, I want to make more money to ease our financial burdens, but paying bills is an existing reality. Being debt free? What, exactly does that look like, other than a more peaceful expression on my face? And yes, I want to improve some habits that get in my way in virtually every corner of my life. Conjuring an image for that also falls into the category of vagueness.

At our team meeting a month ago Stephanie told us that it is likely that she will promote in the coming year to the highest level in the company: National Executive Director. At the recent PC National Conference when the newest national directors received recognition, their team of directors joined them on-stage, a sign and symbol that it is team work that makes such achievements possible. When Stephanie talked about her own promotion to the highest level, I knew that I wanted to be one of the people standing on stage with her. I want to be there not for my own recognition, but as a way of saying thank you to her for the many ways that she has helped me grow and learn, not only as a consultant, but as a person. Finally, something to visualize to help reach for a goal.

I had not, previously, made a determination to work toward becoming a director. I knew that my own flaws and bad habits would interfere with working toward that type of achievement. But in the last year+ as I have struggled to maintain equilibrium in the face of daunting challenges, disappointments and hardships, the evidence began to emerge that I had the capacity to move past being stuck, and into a new way of life that I believed to be out of my grasp. This is due in no small part to Pampered Chef, and the team of people with whom I work in that arena.

In light of all of the above, I have made the decision to go for it, to promote to director. I have seen improvements in habits that make it possible for me to believe that I can do this, a quantum leap from the belief that it just wouldn't happen. I am dedicating myself to the discipline necessary to make some adjustments to personal routines (and we're not just talking breakfast here!), and to keep the prize in front of me. It's good for me.

Toward that end I am asking for your help. If you're the praying sort, would you please hold me in your prayers during these next few months as I work toward making these changes in my life? A prayer as you read this is, of course, appreciated. But if you would, I'm asking for regular prayer through this transition, which I believe will be the most challenging for me. Whether daily or weekly, the support of those who care about me is coveted.

I will keep you posted. I will try not to bore you with the shop talk of the process involved in this, but sharing achievements and accomplishments feels like fair blogging fare. And if you know of someone who would benefit from the kinds of blessings that this is in my life, please let me know so that I can share this opportunity with them. Ultimately that is the greatest gift we have to offer.

Blessings to each of you. Thank you for being along with me on this journey.