memory lane

Today I got to walk in some old and familiar places. 

It started with a trip to the congregation where I did my internship.  While it's tricky to see the church in the middle of a main thoroughfare, the bell tower does let people know it is a church building.  You might be surprised that it's a Lutheran church with St. Francis of Assisi on the side.

It did make for a perfect setting in the yard for the blessing of the animals service, though. 

I got to help out with organizing food for the monthly food pantry, just like old times.  I can't believe it has been five years.  It was nice to catch up with some folks and to remember such the important role they all played in my development and growth into becoming an ordained minister. 

After chatting for a bit, I drove around the old neighborhood.  I remember driving the church van for senior trips and trips in that same van driving through the local projects picking up eager kids for the after school program.  Some areas looked like they hadn't changed in five years....others I barely recognized. 

I had the chance to walk in a place that brought back fond memories for me, as well.  I strolled along the river by the Reading Public Museum.  Most Fridays on internship, I'd meet with several colleagues and we'd walk and talk for an hour or so...just building relationships, connecting and supporting one another.  It was such an invaluable part of my year here...that I still keep in touch with many of those amazing women. 

Along the walk I enjoyed the view of the water:

Thanks to a grandmother trying to keep up with and slow her granddaughter down, she pointed out two sets of wind chimes in the trees.

There was just enough wind to provide a soft, low hum as I passed under. 

So glad I had a chance to revisit some of the old haunts today...and thankful for the connections that began near here.  I had a chance to think about what I have been through over the past 5 years...I love that line in the song 'Watershed' by the Indigo Girls..."every five years or so, I look back on my life and I have a good laugh..."

I don't' know if I had a good laugh today...I definitely had a good smile, or two or more....and the chance to see some growth within me and the world around me.  So much has happened...and so much continues to happen.  I'm truly thankful that God has called me to a place that is somewhat familiar to help me remember who I was, but yet continues to open new doors, new opportunities and new relationships to continue to work through me to help me be who God created me to be.

Until next time...

here comes the sun

What a challenge to walk outside these past few days...it's been darn chilly or darn dark. 

I had a chance to get out this afternoon and it was beautiful!

The sun was shining, the wind was barely blowing...and it was great to just get out of the house.  I was thankful for the weather, for life in general, for friends old and new and all those in between. I was thankful that I was able to enjoy a day off with time to myself, time at the market and time with good friends. 

Many people have talked to me lately about happiness....that I look happy...that they can sense my happiness.  I am truly happy right now.  I had not realized how not fully happy I had been, until situations and locations changed.  I shy away from saying I was unhappy...because I didn't feel unhappy.  Maybe things weren't perfect, but that was okay.  But maybe I was unhappy, but I didn't realize it. 

I'm in a good place right now.  Sure, I'm enjoying the honeymoon period of a new job, embracing a new place to live and explore and celebrating the ample opportunities to reconnect with old friends now that we are physically closer.  It's easy to be engulfed by people who are welcoming and excited for me to be here and who are ready for new beginnings.  I know it will not always be this smooth and this happy...but here's hoping, right?  I know the road isn't always smooth, but I'm enjoying the ride right now...I think holding in the back of my mind that life isn't always perfect, easy and fun.  Knowing that in our lives and in the vocation of parish ministry, tough times are always there.  But at the moment, God's light is shining through me, allowing me to love and be loved through this transition.  Having awesome friends and colleagues both far and near is a huge part of that. 

I've also taken time recently to celebrate the small things that bring a smile to my face. 
That may be dancing in the dining room (that has no curtains) to that new Paul Simon song or my favorite 70's disco hit.
It may be knowing there are fun socks on my feet, like these, from today's walk:

It may be striking up a conversation with someone at the market about the weather or the orange juice.  
Or laughing when you realize the cat has gotten her mouse toy into the oven...

In these fun, happy times, I thank God for the smiles that surround me and for the opportunity to laugh.  Thanks, God, for the ability to dance, sing, laugh, smile, to be with friends or strangers, and to truly be who you created me to be.  (and thanks, in advance - and in looking back - for sticking with me during those really crappy times, too.)

Until next time . . .

stair stepping...

Today's winter walks consisted of multiple sets of stairs.  I had the chance to visit folks in two different hospitals, so I took advantage of using the stairs in the hospitals and parking garages to get a 'walk' in without being blown off the street. 

The wind that was howling this morning, is still going...Blow, Spirit, Blow.

I'm always reminded when running or on a bike how strong the wind is...and as fellow bikers have pointed out, you can't see it coming.  For part of your ride or run, you feel great!  It's like you're unstoppable...having the wind at your back is a powerful thing.
Then you turn a corner and BAM! you can't seem to move forward.  If you are, it's at a much slower pace than the previous leg of your trip.  
When we remember the spirit and winds moving over the waters at creation.  When we think of the wind and flame of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost I can't help but think it's a wind like this.

I'm sure when the Holy Spirit is blowing, it is little like a cool, gentle breeze in the summer time.  I picture it as a gusting, strong force that means business.  And to me, if you're going where the Spirit guides you, it'll be much easier than going against it.  Just try walking into that wind. 

But so often I'm plugging through life forcing myself against the wind, against the Spirit and against my better judgment by trying to do what I think is right.  So many times I think I can handle it...I've got this, I know the right choices because I'm one smart cookie.  But if I'm going against where God is calling me to go....then it is a struggle the whole way.  I don't know why I enter into the struggle, maybe it's a reminder that I'm not in charge.  Maybe I do it just for the challenge. And maybe I do it, because it's who I am, it's who God created me to be...and thanks be to God for being ever so patient with me...watching me get blown off course and waiting for me when I'm going in the right direction again. 

I just hope when it comes to the congregation that I'm going the right way...and encouraging them on the right path...

Until next time . . .

salt, light and a cat

So, I will let you know that I have been walking every day.  I should get to bed soon because it's tough to get up in the morning and walk, but I've been doing it.  Had a lovely walk with my mom this weekend as we navigated around icy walkways and roads. 

I even got a walk and a nap in yesterday between church and the youth super bowl party. (win, win, win.)

Yesterday's gospel lesson was about salt and light.  I preached about the use of salt and seasoning our communities...I thought alot about salt this past week with the amount that was heavily sprinkled on the ice all over the sidewalks and roadways.  I was hesitant to use too much on my food today, careful to use just enough to enhance the flavor and not overpower it. 

I shared salted and unsalted pretzels with the kids during the children's sermon yesterday which we snacked on later at the party.  Yum.

With the coming of spring and the changing of the seasons, I'm looking forward to the sun coming up earlier.  With the majority of my bedroom windows on the east side of the house, my room is the first one to get the rays of sun.  Not to mention, it will be easier to get up when it's not darkish out there. 

So, I go home from church yesterday and saw the light on in the basement.  I asked mom and dad about it and they hadn't been down stairs at all.  I opened the door to see the light bulb on....and pull string wrapped around it.  I unwrapped it while Marley was watching and she immediately jumped at the string as soon as it was within her reach.  Apparently, she played with and pulled the string hard enough to turn on the light and to have the pull string wrap around the light bulb. 

I have 'some cat.'  I was wondering if she was letting her light so shine before others that they may see her good works and glorify her father in heaven....or if she just doesn't like how dark the basement can get.  When I was home after the game, she hopped on top of the fridge and knocked down her cat treats.  It's like she owns the place....I wonder if I should submit this to cat fancy or the Lutheran. 

Until next time...

struggling with the darkness...

It is good to walk first thing in the morning, especially when the day is going to be a full one....and especially good when you wake up in a grumbly mood.  Had the alarm set for 5:30 with the plan to be on the road at 6am.  Well, it's still winter...and yes, still dark at 6am.  So I hit snooze...and thought, okay, walking by 6:30 will still give me a decent walk. You guessed it, still dark.  (more grumbling.)  The additional grumbling was probably due to knowing how full my day would be and how hard I try to squeeze as walk into the afternoon, but often things just pop up....a meeting, a hospital visit, a phone call.

At 6:45 it was light, so then I had a new set of grumbles...I should have gotten up at 6:30 and gotten ready so when was light enough I could be on my way.  Anyway, by 7:04 I was all bundled and on my way.  At first I was going to shorten my loop for fear of getting into the office late, but I decided to do the whole loop.  Which probably makes a better day for anyone I interact with, since I grumbled through most of my walk just in a funk...which would have been worse if I had cut it short. 

20 minutes I stopped... and breathed...and prayed...the funk lessened but was still there...I have no idea why. 

It took me a while to shake the funk...but this view helped:

It gave me a fresh start.  A new perspective.  It took me outside of myself.  There are bigger goings on here.  This world isn't just about me.  God created me to be me...in my funk and in my joy...to be part of this beautiful creation.  Thanks God, for getting me up out of bed...as grumbly as I was...to see the world as only you can make it....and to share that beautiful moment with me. 

Until tomorrow...

funky connection

This is my post (as well as I can recreate it) from yesterday.  My internet connection had the hiccups and I couldn't even save my blog mid blog.  Oh well. 

Yesterday was a walk in an ice globe.  Everything was shiney, the ground had some slick spots and I met some interesting people.

One woman, who I nearly surprised, because she was shoveling with her back to me...said her day was going well.  She clears the sidewalk in front of many properties...and she was ready for the ice.  She had shoveled well the night before and salted alot!  That made the ice really easy to get off the walks that morning.  She would follow her shoveling with more salt.  She seemed pretty pleased with her work. 

Moving along, I realized that at some points it was safter to walk on the road, facing the traffic rather than risk walking on solid ice.  A woman and her son warned me to be very cautious....watch out for the plows, she said.  I said I would...and I would be careful and move to the sidewalk as soon as it was safe. 

Then I met a man who was not very excited about this winter at all.  'I'm sick of this shit.' he said.  'Last year I lived in a condo and didn't have to worry about shoveling and stuff...and we had like no snow!  This year I move home, and it's rediculous! I'm sick of this! Next year I'm buying snowblower...and then it probably won't snow!'  Best of luck, I said with a smile. 

The rest of the walk was fairy quiet, except for the crackling and falling ice.  Which began to make me flinch as the walk went on for my fear of being hit in the head from ice falling off the wires or trees.  On flinch I nearly had my hands over my head beacuase it was so loud...then I laughed when I realized it was two kids on some sleds....ooops. 

I was well warmed up to de-ice my truck at the end of the walk...which was coated on one side and the top, but not the other...weird. 

Until next time . . .

another month, another adventure

Well, February is here...and while I had many suggestions for what to take on for the next 28 days, I didn't settle on anything until this morning. 

Perhaps next month will be 30 days of hulahooping, trampolining, dodge ball, belly dancing, thumbwrestling, origami, or yoga.  For the next 28 days I will be winter walking. 

An idea suggested by a follower of 30 Days of Biking, if he or she could bike 30 days, why couldn't they winter walk for 28 days?  I figured, I need to get out and explore the area and get my heart moving everyday, why not make a commitment to walk everyday in February? 

A few things that don't count:
1) My commute to work.
2) Walking around inside the house. 
3) Taking out the trash.
4) Just walking to the bank/post office/library, because those are places I already walk to. 

Today's walk was a nice one.  When I first headed out there was misty precipitation and almost warm outside.  While we have ice warnings, the snow on the ground wasn't slick yet...and I stayed away from places that were cleared but looked slick.  I did wear my bright yellow raincoat, which I was truly thankful for because at some point in the walk the precip picked up...and then began bouncing off my arms and head.  That's when the slickness picked up. 

I was thankful for the hood, which reminded me of summer.  The sound of little bitty ice bits bouncing off my head sounded like rain on a tent...a very soothing sound for me.  I got to thinking about how when the snow is clear these routes will be great for spring and summer bike rides. 

Here's a pic from today's trek:

It may be nice to see the transition from winter to spring in the pictures this month.  Yet as I look out my window now, I'm a bit worried as to what tomorrow may bring, seeing the trees glisten with ice on their branches...but tomorrow is another day and some sort of walk will ensue. 

Until tomorrow...be safe out there!