Angel FIre

Just wanted to let you all know that we arrived safely at Angel Fire, New Mexico. Ryss is currently out on the slopes learning how to snowboard. I watched her a few minutes ago and she was flying down the hill...until she fell (Ouch). She went a long way before she fell, though. She could already skateboard a little so that helped her with this.

The drive into the mountains was absolutely glorious. Snow was falling and the scene was one of peace and beauty. I hate being cold in Texas because it seeps into your bones but being in New Mexico was just as I remembered growing up. And hasn't really bothered me at all, Ryss has had a little more trouble adjusting to the cold.

Down in the lobby of the resort last night they had a man (Tom Perry) playing both the violin and guitar (not at the same time). We spent hours watching him. She can't wait to see him again tonight. I haven't' been able to convince her to play the violin with him or even to bring her guitar down to the lobby. What a goof. We picked up some guitar lesson books for her in Amarillo and she is already playing "Ode to Joy" and "O Susanna".

It has been fun so far. The only bad thing to happen was I lost some money--somewhere. Not enough to matter but enough to sting a little. I consider it my offering to the Mountain gods....I'm just kidding.

Christmas Day

My Dad loaned her one of his guitar's. So she is trying to learn to play it too. Notice all the braids in her hair. I asked her who she was imitating. She said, "Mom, I'm finding my own personal style...I don't care how the other girls are dressed."
(Notice Luke closely watching her and Misti the cat trying to sneak in close. Lily is getting close to me, I think she isn't sure about all the noise.)




Ryss experimenting with her new violin.

My mom crocheted all of our Christmas ornaments. I love the fact that they are handmade and unbreakable, which is very important in my house.

We are packing. Getting reading to leave for the mountains tomorrow. Yippee!!

Candlelight Service

(See the great big box by the tree? That's the violin. Under the tree looks pretty scarce, it's hard to show a Snowboarding vacation under the tree.)


Candlelight Service: I thought it was going to be a disaster. My musician and my liturgist did not show up for the Christmas Candlelight Service. I was freaking out. We had a ton, a ton, of guests. AND NO ONE TO PLAY THE MUSIC.





We did the entire service of Lessons and CAROLS a cappella. It was a wonderful service. During one hymn, my daughter, who was helping with the reading of the lessons made everyone do an extra verse of a hymn that she thought they could do better. It was all done with humor and laughter and, guess what, the second time was much better. Imagine a very short, 13 year-old girl, bossing and coaxing an entire congregation to put more heart in the singing of the hymns. John Wesley would be proud....I know that I am.



I wish that the shrinks could see how preachers react to real-life situations. We still haven't found out where the missing pianist (AKA Head Bane) or the liturgist are. We drove over, checking on them but the house was empty, car was gone, and all the presents were gone from under the tree. So we are hoping that they are with family.


Spent yesterday, after church, with my ex-husband's family. He wasn't there but they are so great to both Ryss and I. I wasn't looking forward to driving to Flower Mound which is over 100 miles from our house, but it was a good trip. One of the reasons was my new present from Ryss. She got me a Sirius Radio for the car. I listened to a comedy show all the way there and laughed all the way there. I thought that after that horrible drive to Houston I would hate being in the car again but it was nice and now I'm not dreading the actual drive to New Mexico.


My neice was kind of enought to give me a massage today. She is a Registered Massage Therapist. It is so nice having one in the family. Now all we need is an Auto Mechanic and a doctor and the family will be sitting pretty.


Tonight my baby curled up in my lap while I read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to her. One of our holiday traditions. She is real big on traditions. If we do it once (and she likes it), it offically and magically becomes a tradition. So I'm praying that all of you have put your presents under the tree, kissed all your munchkins (or spouses) and wake up to a truly magical morning.

I Rock with Costa Rica

I was driving through the great metropolis of "Buffalo, Texas" and I saw actual buffalo out in a pasture. Of course, I had to slam on the brakes, back up and take a picture. Now don't get me wrong, I've seen buffalo before but this just struck me as appropriate and kind of funny. Hey, when you spend thirteen hours on a road trip, the little things and the humor of it all is all you have sometimes.

I will say that the last two days I haven't been able to eat. I did take a hunk of Jo(e)'s "Healthy Bread". I'm starting to believe that it has the properties of Manna. You eat a little bit and can go the rest of the day without eating again. I bought some more ingredients so I can make another batch, with some slivered almonds and blueberries.

So you might be wondering about the title of this Blog. Well, my Wonderful Child bought me a Sirius Radio for Christmas. Of course, installing it by myself was a nightmare. I finally got it in and partially working but had to call the help center for another activation signal. I got a wonderful girl down in Costa Rica who walked me through everything, was extremely friendly and very helpful. I can honestly say that I have talked to many, many, many customer service people who are based somewhere other than the United States (and some that were based here) and she was the exception to the rule (The rule being that they are rude and unhelpful or unable to communicate in English). So with the help of this great lady, I got it installed, hence the title of the blog.

WonderGirl is at Cheerleading practice. She was not really happy about spending four hours at school on the first day of Christmas break. I was though. I have to find a box big enough for her gift and get it wrapped. Let me confess, I am a gift bag kind of person. My patience with wrapping is non-existent. After I pick her up, I plan on spending the rest of the day reading a non-thinking book by J.D. Robb.

Vague Results

I suppose that yesterday went okay, at least I made it back safe and sound. I don't have any more to say....the doctor said he would let me know immediately before I went to Houston, but yesterday he said that he needed more time to process the information. Apparently, I'm complex....what person that lives to age 43, has children, has been married and lived life is not complex?

He will let me know the results sometime after the 1st of the year. It is all in God's hands now. I refuse to let it spoil the Christmas holidays with my daughter. I've done all I can. The only negative thought that I have is that I have been tested four times and even last month was assured that everything was normal with my testing. One of my friends has suggested that they may have mixed up the test results since it isn't done by our name but by a number. Ah well, I will survive even if he doesn't give me a good recommendation.

Positive Thoughts

Those of you who know and love people with the personality type ISTJ, know that we are of a more pessimistic mindset than most. Today, however, I am setting off to Houston with a positive outlook.

I played the RevGalPalBlog Trivia game this morning and scored a perfect 10 and I was #1 (at least until people not on dial-up start playing). I went to the doctor yesterday and I have lost a grand total of 22 pounds since my physical in October.

Good signs....probably not....but I WILL BE POSITIVE.

Perspective

Spent a couple of hours cruising job listings on-line....feeling better about my future.

Tired in Texas

I know that I should not feel this pessimistic about this conference and all the requirements that it requires but I'm feeling very angry this morning. Of course, it didn't help that I couldn't sleep last night.

I am dealing with it but I'm not happy. I was truly called by God to this life or I wouldn't be fighting this hard for it. And if this had happened ten years ago, I wouldn't stick around for the 2nd Act. I have faith that this is where God wants me but the bureaucracy is killing me.

I've been told that part of the problem is that I don't fit the profile that the Conference has for its clergy. Strike one against me...I'm not male. Strike two against me....I'm a single mother. Strike three against me.....I'm no longer in my twenties or thirties. It doesn't help that I'm Hispanic but don't speak Spanish. Basically, I'm not what the establishment is used to seeing. Lest you believe that I am being paranoid, this came from a member of the District Board of Ordained Ministry.

So I am being proactive this morning, I have started writing down different conference telephone numbers so I can have a plan of action if tomorrow doesn't go well. Plus, I'm going to contact a couple of local community colleges and schools about possible positions.

My Bible Study group was very supportive of my ministry last night. They affirmed my calling and the fruits of my ministry which was very comforting. It goes against my nature to confide in people but I really needed their prayers and support last night. I will have my 4th anniversary at this church in 11 days, longer than any other pastor in recent (or known) history. I am finding it hard to rejoice in that right now.

Devastated

My day has been personally devastating. I have been through the psych testing for this conference three times. I've always tested as normal and suited for ministry. The head of the testing center is making me drive all the way to Houston on Friday for a face-to-face meeting about my most recent test. This is after meeting with one of his psychologist's last month and being told that everything was good-to-go.

Why do we put ourselves through things like this?? When I graduated with my B.S. in History, I could have went straight into teaching without any student loan debt. Five years later, I'm up to my eyeballs in debt from seminary and, apparently, still I'm not finished jumping through all of the hoops that this conference puts before us.

I will drive to Houston (five hours away), meet with this guy for an hour at 4 p.m., and then try to turn around and make it back to my daughter before midnight. He wanted to meet next Wednesday (the day after Christmas). I told him I was leaving on my first vacation in 18 months that day and couldn't do it then.

Do any of you need a slightly used pastor in your conference? And they wonder why the numbers of clergy are dropping!

Personality Types

I sure that most of you have taken the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator. I am a ISTJ. I recently ran across the results from my test and stapled to the back was a list of prayers for each personality type.

Here is mine: "Lord, help me to relax about insignificant details beginning tomorrow at 11:41.23 CST (17:41.23 GMT)."

If you want to know your specific personality type prayer, comment with your type and I will answer you in the comments.

What had me digging through my old files? Well, I received the books that I mentioned a few days ago. They are all about tailoring your prayer life and spirituality based on your type. I'm getting started on the reading at exactly 9:55.45 CST :)