Coming Together

Last week I finally started getting everything organized and feel much better about it all. I am a list kind of person. You know the type. If I go to the grocery store without my list, I forget all the stuff I need and buy a whole bunch of extra crap. Well, I am the same way about a lot of things. So I listed everything that I have to accomplish for my D.Min. program this semester (by due dates) and I listed everything that I have to accomplish for my Commissioning (also by due dates). So now I feel much better, not as out of control. I have actually submitted some of my homework assignments already. See I do work better when I have a list.

Of course, when you make lists people always try to mess them up but I'm not that easy to distract. I will have to admit that all of this ministry stuff that we have begun at the church is really interfering with my schedule (just joking--ha, ha).

Tomorrow I have my friends mom's funeral to conduct at 10 a.m. Seems kind of early but it works for them (and for me). She died of Alzheimer's just like the funeral for the church member that I conducted last month. I did the Alzheimer's walk on Thursday and met the coolest man. He is 72 and his wife was diagnosed last year with Alzheimer's. It has progressed very, very quick and she cannot even dress herself anymore. But listen to this, he was a referee with the National Football League. And was in awesome shape. I was a little jealous. He was so sweet and spent the entire time we ate together talking about his wife. After we were done, he said, "Thank you so much for letting me talk to you about my wife. It felt great to get it off my chest." What a sweety!! I love the opportunities that this calling gives to me to connect with people.

Being a pastor can be the most frustrating, hair-pulling job in the ENTIRE world and at the same time it is the most fulfilling, rewarding and soul-satisfying call that we can ever answer. I know, it happens to me on a daily basis. Trust me-- I had a Finance Committee meeting today.

Hospice

I received a call last night around 9:30 that one of my parishioner's mother was dying at the hospice (which is one hour drive). I got home after 1 a.m. She is still holding on. This family is one of the reasons that I am participating in the Alzheimer's Walk on Thursday. It has been very hard on the family to watch the mother forget them, forget herself, forget everything.

Needless, to say I was not very chipper this morning at 6:45 when I drove Ryss to cross country. But I submitted one of the post-seminar requirements for my D.Min. today, so I have accomplished something but not much. I just can't get over being tired. I even begged off of a District Finance Meeting. I just couldn't face the drive today. Living so far out just adds an extra dimension of difficulty to everything. I'm whining, sorry.

I encourage all of you to check out www.alzalliance.org I don't know if there are organizations and walks everywhere this Thursday but it is a nice way to spend a couple of hours.