1. Are you a hoarder or a minimalist?
I am a hoarder that goes through periodic sweeps that totally cleans things out. Unfortunately, they tend to collect right back. I bought a shredder which is making throwing papers out much easier but, darn it, you really don't know when you might need it.
Plus, I really have a lot of different activities in my life. I need the camping equipment and chainsaw for Emergency Mission trips; the books for well, everything; O crap, I can't make excuses - I have too much.
2. Name one important object ( could be an heirloom) that you will never part with.
A rocking chair that is 61 years old. It has been passed down from mother to daughter for three generations now. Its "birthday" is October 27th. Of course, I would probably try to grab my computer if the house was on fire (I have scanned all of the family photo's into it). Plus, it has my sermons, my school stuff (backed-up off site) but, still, it's MY COMPUTER.
3. What is the oldest item in your closet? Does it still fit???
I have a dress that is 10 years old. And no, it doesn't still fit but I'm really working on it. And before you say, "Get rid of it", Cheesehead is living proof that I can get that small again. (((So there)))
4.Yard sales- love 'em or hate 'em ?
I kind of like them but I don't believe in pricing every single little item. Too much work. I like sections or tables - Everything for $1. But when you walk away with money and a cleaner (or emptier) house. It's a great feeling.
5. Name a recycling habit you really want to get into.
Paper - I would like to recycle paper. In this part of the country, you don't recycle paper -- you burn it. And the plastic water bottles..... yeah.... the plastic water bottles. And, aluminum cans, those too.
And for a bonus- well anything you want to add....
In my family, recycling means giving your old stuff to a member of a younger generation. As recently happened with all of my daughter's furniture. It is anathema to throw away or sell furniture. Cousin Billy Bob's niece twice removed is getting married and has to furnish her house. I can honestly say that I have never bought a piece of silverware in my life. Of course, none really match (except for the fancy set I got for my wedding)
One a different subject: In honor of the October Book of the Month, I bought all the food from local vegetable stands and my daughter and I cooked and baked today after school. It was a total vegetarian meal. She wasn't to keen on the squash.
I finally received an email from the Dean of the D.Min. Program. We start at 8 a.m. Kind of weird, that none of the staff could answer that question, Isn't it??
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Prayers
Thanks to everyone out there praying for my sister. I'm really hoping that it is a misdiagnosis which isn't very brave or smart but where I am right now. She is already convinced that she only has three years left to live. We did talk about her continuing to smoke. And, reading up on the disease, smoking can be a contributing factor. I haven't told my daughter yet. I thought it would be wise to wait until they confirm the diagnosis. Not that I don't have faith in the VA Hospital but, well................. it's giving me a glimmer of hope right now. They've been wrong before.
I began reading Barbara Kingsolver's book yesterday Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life. This is the second monthly book read for RevGalPals. I read Good Fences: The Boundaries of Hospitality this month. I want to be up-to-date and ready to go when I get to join in the monthly book discussion. It's very exciting to be a part of something that I love to do anyway -READ. I have to wait just one more month and then I will have been blogging long enough to join RevGalPals and the first thing I'm getting is the T-Shirt. Let me tell you a little secret - I love T-Shirts. Trying to dress professionally has been the biggest struggle of this whole being a pastor process except, maybe, for having to learn the entirely new vocabulary.
I remember the first time I saw the word - Prevenient Grace - I thought "Damn, don't they have spell check!?!" And in my Intro to Theology class at seminary, I had to read the assignment with a dictionary in my right hand so I could decipher the words on the page. And it was a humbling experience. I had graduated Magna Cum Laude from university. Intro to Theology was my very first "C" (except for an Algebra incident early on - and really who needs algebra :-). It definitely took the wind out of my puffy sails.
I was on the Editorial Board of my Seminary's Journal last year. It has gone to print and they have agreed to mail me a copy. I didn't submit anything this year because I thought it was unfair and wouldn't look right if my article made it while I was serving on the ed board. It was fun getting to read all of the papers, poems, etc.
Ryss' school can't find her yearbook order. She lives in her yearbook. Most of us put them on the shelf and never open them again. Her friends and her pour over the yearbook when they get together. It's kind of weird. I put the order for the book in through a friend because, frankly, we were supposed to have been moved this year. But they didn't have anywhere for me to go.
So I stayed at a Student Appointment but it worked out well, since I'm going to be a student again anyway. I miss the pay increase that would have come with a move but that's not really the motivating factor in my life. One thing about me staying past my expected time, I've really been able to stir the pot and get the church moving in new directions. I'm afraid that I will be the last student pastor here, though. It really looks like they are going to move to a Part-Time Local when I leave unless they agree to the merger.
I have had three professions of faith this year but my numbers have remained static. This church is part of the Transformation Project, so we have really done a lot of work but we don't have any of the programs to offer that a new person moving in is looking for. This is one of the reason's for the Kidz Day Out program. But can I realistically expect to have the same group of people do all of the work? Can I hold up to the pressure of doing everything and always being here? Let me tell you a secret - (I hate the Game & Fellowship Night) - SHhhhhh. It's held once a month. And we eat junk food and play domino's. I tried playing poker but got in trouble with the old fogy's. It wasn't for money. How is that different than domino's?
My quest to find a replacement for this Sunday has failed miserably. The District has a list of retired pastors who fill in for you in theory. I have only missed one Sunday (Annual Conference) in over a year. That can't be healthy. But I can understand them not wanting to drive an hour each way.
I began reading Barbara Kingsolver's book yesterday Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life. This is the second monthly book read for RevGalPals. I read Good Fences: The Boundaries of Hospitality this month. I want to be up-to-date and ready to go when I get to join in the monthly book discussion. It's very exciting to be a part of something that I love to do anyway -READ. I have to wait just one more month and then I will have been blogging long enough to join RevGalPals and the first thing I'm getting is the T-Shirt. Let me tell you a little secret - I love T-Shirts. Trying to dress professionally has been the biggest struggle of this whole being a pastor process except, maybe, for having to learn the entirely new vocabulary.
I remember the first time I saw the word - Prevenient Grace - I thought "Damn, don't they have spell check!?!" And in my Intro to Theology class at seminary, I had to read the assignment with a dictionary in my right hand so I could decipher the words on the page. And it was a humbling experience. I had graduated Magna Cum Laude from university. Intro to Theology was my very first "C" (except for an Algebra incident early on - and really who needs algebra :-). It definitely took the wind out of my puffy sails.
I was on the Editorial Board of my Seminary's Journal last year. It has gone to print and they have agreed to mail me a copy. I didn't submit anything this year because I thought it was unfair and wouldn't look right if my article made it while I was serving on the ed board. It was fun getting to read all of the papers, poems, etc.
Ryss' school can't find her yearbook order. She lives in her yearbook. Most of us put them on the shelf and never open them again. Her friends and her pour over the yearbook when they get together. It's kind of weird. I put the order for the book in through a friend because, frankly, we were supposed to have been moved this year. But they didn't have anywhere for me to go.
So I stayed at a Student Appointment but it worked out well, since I'm going to be a student again anyway. I miss the pay increase that would have come with a move but that's not really the motivating factor in my life. One thing about me staying past my expected time, I've really been able to stir the pot and get the church moving in new directions. I'm afraid that I will be the last student pastor here, though. It really looks like they are going to move to a Part-Time Local when I leave unless they agree to the merger.
I have had three professions of faith this year but my numbers have remained static. This church is part of the Transformation Project, so we have really done a lot of work but we don't have any of the programs to offer that a new person moving in is looking for. This is one of the reason's for the Kidz Day Out program. But can I realistically expect to have the same group of people do all of the work? Can I hold up to the pressure of doing everything and always being here? Let me tell you a secret - (I hate the Game & Fellowship Night) - SHhhhhh. It's held once a month. And we eat junk food and play domino's. I tried playing poker but got in trouble with the old fogy's. It wasn't for money. How is that different than domino's?
My quest to find a replacement for this Sunday has failed miserably. The District has a list of retired pastors who fill in for you in theory. I have only missed one Sunday (Annual Conference) in over a year. That can't be healthy. But I can understand them not wanting to drive an hour each way.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Hurricane
Two years ago Hurricane Rita slammed into the Texas Coast and decimated people's homes and lives living there. I have taken three separate mission trips into the area to help rebuild homes and clear the massive amount of trees that had fallen on homes. Two of the places that we visited were Port Arthur and Beaumont. Two of the cities that were hit again last night by Hurricane Humberto.
The people still haven't recovered from Rita and now will be struggling with this new storm damage. This is a critical problem. One of the ladies whose home was in the absolute worst area of Port Arthur, we helped put a new roof on her home. I pray to God that it has held up. We did follow all of the new building codes but you just never know for sure. Before we could put the new one on, we had to remove the old one. And it was definitely NOT UP TO CODE. There were seven layers of shingles. It's a wonder that the house hadn't collapsed. We also shifted the house back onto its foundation and fixed the dry rot areas.
I believe that one of the latest reports from the area still had over 700 people still waiting for help in rebuilding their roofs, homes, lives. The ones that still haven't been fixed from Rita will be in even worse shape and, now, new ones will be added to the list.
If any of you are contemplating a mission trip, consider coming to the Texas/Louisiana coast. Email me at revdulce@gmail.com and I will give you the contact information for the PIM/VIM team leaders working in the area. Or visit the Texas Annual Conference web-site http://www.txcumc.org/ for more ways to help. And pray for the people.
On a selfish note, I will be in Houston week after next. And this Hurricane came up fast, very, very fast. I'm a little nervous especially after being in Louisiana when Rita came on shore and seeing the destruction first hand, immediately after the storm. When power lines are still snaking across the road, and trees are impaled in a local McDonalds, no power, no water, entire forests with all the trees snapped off like matchsticks.
Book recommendation: Transforming the Stone: Preaching Through Resistance to Change by Barbara K. Lundblad. Just finished it and it is really good especially if you are dealing with change resistant congregations. She really forces you to tackle the tough subjects: homosexuality, poverty, domestic violence.
I finished my sermon and I really want a nap before going to the football game tonight. I haven't spoken with another person today at all since I took Ryss to school (unless you count the salesperson). Hopefully, everyone is still recovering from yesterday and it isn't the calm before the storm.
The people still haven't recovered from Rita and now will be struggling with this new storm damage. This is a critical problem. One of the ladies whose home was in the absolute worst area of Port Arthur, we helped put a new roof on her home. I pray to God that it has held up. We did follow all of the new building codes but you just never know for sure. Before we could put the new one on, we had to remove the old one. And it was definitely NOT UP TO CODE. There were seven layers of shingles. It's a wonder that the house hadn't collapsed. We also shifted the house back onto its foundation and fixed the dry rot areas.
I believe that one of the latest reports from the area still had over 700 people still waiting for help in rebuilding their roofs, homes, lives. The ones that still haven't been fixed from Rita will be in even worse shape and, now, new ones will be added to the list.
If any of you are contemplating a mission trip, consider coming to the Texas/Louisiana coast. Email me at revdulce@gmail.com and I will give you the contact information for the PIM/VIM team leaders working in the area. Or visit the Texas Annual Conference web-site http://www.txcumc.org/ for more ways to help. And pray for the people.
On a selfish note, I will be in Houston week after next. And this Hurricane came up fast, very, very fast. I'm a little nervous especially after being in Louisiana when Rita came on shore and seeing the destruction first hand, immediately after the storm. When power lines are still snaking across the road, and trees are impaled in a local McDonalds, no power, no water, entire forests with all the trees snapped off like matchsticks.
Book recommendation: Transforming the Stone: Preaching Through Resistance to Change by Barbara K. Lundblad. Just finished it and it is really good especially if you are dealing with change resistant congregations. She really forces you to tackle the tough subjects: homosexuality, poverty, domestic violence.
I finished my sermon and I really want a nap before going to the football game tonight. I haven't spoken with another person today at all since I took Ryss to school (unless you count the salesperson). Hopefully, everyone is still recovering from yesterday and it isn't the calm before the storm.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Flash Flood Watch
Much of the area is under a Flash Flood Watch. It rained pretty hard here yesterday afternoon. I really didn't notice as I was comatose. Took a nap, called my mentor and complained about the "Banes of my existence". He told me, my mistake was going back to finish cleaning the kitchen but that the rest I handled in a professional manner. Yea, for me.
I worked out this morning but forgot to weigh myself. I am scared too because after I got so upset yesterday - I ate chocolate cake and not just a small reasonable sized piece. Oh no, a massive piece. I did give the rest to the neighbor so that I wouldn't continue down that slippery slope.
I finished the RevGals Read of the Month "Good Fences: The Boundaries of Hospitality" by Caroline Westerhoff. I disagreed with her assertion that "we are not God's hands in the world". I do agree that "God could do it without our help" but that isn't how it works - at least, not in my understanding of theology. God chooses to do it through our work. Otherwise, why are we here? What are we doing?
I am off to the bank to deposit my paycheck and to visit at the nursing home. Tonight is Karate and a Horse Club Meeting.
We had an idea for our Mother's Day Out Program. We are going to take the kids on outdoor nature hikes. So I want to talk to our County Extension Agent, who is a Master Gardener, about giving a demonstration or talk. This week I am going to take Lily down to meet the kids. She loves kids. Plus, she will fetch a frisbee until she collapses from exhaustion or a tennis ball or a stick (basically, anything you throw she will fetch). Plus, she doesn't jump and she smiles. I kid you not, she smiles at people.
I worked out this morning but forgot to weigh myself. I am scared too because after I got so upset yesterday - I ate chocolate cake and not just a small reasonable sized piece. Oh no, a massive piece. I did give the rest to the neighbor so that I wouldn't continue down that slippery slope.
I finished the RevGals Read of the Month "Good Fences: The Boundaries of Hospitality" by Caroline Westerhoff. I disagreed with her assertion that "we are not God's hands in the world". I do agree that "God could do it without our help" but that isn't how it works - at least, not in my understanding of theology. God chooses to do it through our work. Otherwise, why are we here? What are we doing?
I am off to the bank to deposit my paycheck and to visit at the nursing home. Tonight is Karate and a Horse Club Meeting.
We had an idea for our Mother's Day Out Program. We are going to take the kids on outdoor nature hikes. So I want to talk to our County Extension Agent, who is a Master Gardener, about giving a demonstration or talk. This week I am going to take Lily down to meet the kids. She loves kids. Plus, she will fetch a frisbee until she collapses from exhaustion or a tennis ball or a stick (basically, anything you throw she will fetch). Plus, she doesn't jump and she smiles. I kid you not, she smiles at people.
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