...the announcement that our pastor is resigning.

The new pastor. Who started in September.

Who replaced the one who resigned LAST February. (What is it with February?? At least this one didn't tell me on my birthday but I think that was the week he told our Bishop.)

He's only been with us since September but due to a variety circumstances, he'll be moving back to Arizona in May.

He told me this morning because it was going to be announced at the end of service. We went into the kitchen during worship and he told me. I walked out of the sanctuary and into the ladies room to cry. Not because I'm sad that he's leaving (I am but not the way I was with our previous pastor who had been with us for nine years) but because I am tired. And I know what the search entails and the time and energy it requires.

But our church will survive. I believe that God has great things in store for us. I believe that this pastor was with us for this time for a reason - maybe while God prepared the next pastor for us or us for him. I cannot begin to know the mind of God, nor do I even attempt to. But I know he is working things for our good, even when the plan is unclear to us.

And so I will again pray and do whatever is necessary to facilitate this process. And if you are of the praying persuasion, please pray for us as well. We are headed down a difficult road, again. Please pray that our leaders would remain steadfast and unwavering in the face of this temporary difficulty and that the Lord would bring us the right person for our church.

Thank you!

We just returned from a weekend youth retreat. It was great - there were about 275 kids from different churches in our conference in attendance. Awesome worship and wonderful speakers (check out www.maddogsenglishmen.com) more than made up for the two hours of sleep I got and my distress over one of the kids dislocating his wrist and PUTTING IT BACK IN HIMSELF.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love these kids. I really, really do.

Sarah & Joe's baby girl turned one last week! She is such a blessing.

Blue Sloth has organized an assignment for us...to describe something that mystifies us. I've gone back and forth for a few days thinking of all the things that mystify me: Britney Spears. Anna Nicole. How someone can get back in a racecar after sliding across the finish line on his roof in flames. The inherent oddness and unpredictability of the moods of teenage boys (yes, BOYS). Why airlines find it acceptable to leave customers on the tarmac for hours on end and won't return to the terminal. How a state can leave 50 miles of motorists stranded on a closed highway for over 24 hours with no assistance...on and on my disjointed thougth process goes.

But what is mystifying me most this week is my beloved Norman. Yes, again, the boy is using my spare room as his own personal litter box. I've tried everything. We've shampooed the rug repeatedly. I have multiple litter boxes which are scooped twice a day. I bought a litter locker to reduce the smell. I have feline pheremones being diffused into the air. I've taken samples to the vet to make sure he is not sick. I've taken HIM to the vet to make sure he is not sick.

He is not sick.

I am completely bewildered and confounded by this creature - so beloved, yet so bizarre. Right now, he is alternating between tackling his stuffed catnip eggplant (yes, you read that right) and slamming it and himself into the bedroom door so it slams against the closet door with a resounding boom and clotheslining himself with the lapttop power cord repeatedly until it unplugs and I have to get out of the warm bed and plug it back in before I lose everything.

He is lucky that I love him so.

Check out others and their mystified-ness:

kmsqrd

Jen Mathis

Alley Katt

Ziji Wangmo

Hooray For Saturday

Tiggermn

Groanin' Jock

Blue Witch

Tim

ally bean

Rayne of Terror

BD

Dan

Mary

Tish

Phil

MsShad

I had some of my senior girls over tonight to watch Facing the Giants. If you haven't seen this film (and you probably haven't - it was apparently only released in a certain number of theaters), I so highly recommend it. Even though we knew what the outcome would be in most areas of the storyline, we were all cheering the characters on throughout.

I've been feeling very discouraged about many things as of late (this morning, in particular, my discouragement hit me head on). I've been trying, as I often do, to figure things out and to decide what I need to do to make things better...and, or maybe or, what others should be doing. But really, I came back around to what I should come to in the beginning ALWAYS instead of the end. God is in control and I need to give these things up to him.

There is a man in our church who has a brain tumor. Tomorrow, he is having surgery to have it removed. And we gathered, after service, to pray for his surgery and his ultimate healing. As we stood, the majority of our small congregation, together in a circle, holding hands, lifting our brother up in earnest prayer, I was struck by this. That this kind of corporate prayer is unusual, unique, moving, to me...what does that say? I handle the prayer list at church,taking requests and sending them out to the list via email. I know that people are praying - some may read and plan to pray later; some praying right in that moment. But to stand together, side by side, and lift up concerns like this, maybe even hopes or dreams, therein lies a different kind of power, a movement of the Spirit that is palpable.

I'd never seen Castaway so when I saw it was on this evening, I decide to watch. I had to go do something else during the scene when the plane was crashing and I found the middle while he was on the island to be a bit long and tedious (as, I suppose, I was supposed to - as it was meant to be long and tedious and give a representatin of what that must be like). But the end...aren't there any movies anymore with a happy ending? I know, I know - it's happy that he was rescued and all that. But it was so sad that even though in her heart she knew he was still alive, she listened to everyone else and moved on with her life. It just about broke my heart when she told him that he was the true love of her life but she had to go home.

Three posts in one night.

I'm on a roll.

So, I have a maddening addiction to peanut butter. PETER PAN reduced fat peanut butter, to be exact. I slather it on things. I glob it on chocolate. I've even been known to eat it right out of the jar...because I CAN. I keep a jar in my desk at work and in the pantry at home. And had eaten most of both before learning today that BOTH are from the lot that people have been getting salmonella from.

Ahem.

Both are in the trash and I am in serious withdrawl.

Ok, I love Grey's Anatomy. They had me at hello, so to speak. But tonight...well. (Stop reading now if you Tivo'ed the episode - it's a spoiler!)

It started off well enough. I cried some ugly tears when Meredith went under for the last time, when Izzie was scared and trying to figure out how to help her patient, when the little girl pointed Derek to the black, cold water.

I was on edge as Derek worked on her and as everyone was being paged. I was moved by Bailey and the Chief and even Addison. McSteamy brought tears to my eyes when he came and simply sat by his friend.

But I SERIOUSLY could have done without Izzie's monologue, especially when she told George he made a mistake marrying Callie. And then the closing scene with the bomb squad guy and Denny...seriously.

Did Grey's Anatomy just jump the shark????????? I hope not but can't say for sure.

Thirteen Reasons I Blog

1. I love to write. And even if it's only little dribs and drabs about my every day adventures, it's still writing.
2. I always liked to read other people's blogs and thought it was a neat way to keep in touch.
3. I'm terrible about the phone. There are only a few I talk to for any length of time. I'm much better about writing...back in the day, letters...today, the blog.
4. It's a great way to share photos.
5. It gives me an outlet to vent.
6. It gives me an opportunity to share things I might not otherwise...a degree of separation. It's easier sometimes to say something to "the internet" than it is to say it to a real, live person.
7. It keeps people I don't see or talk to all the time current with what's been going on in my life.
8. It's been a neat way to meet other people. There are a lot of cool folks out here in the blogosphere - who I never would have encountered otherwise.
9. There are a lot of bloggers who inspire me and I hope that in some small way, I might someday inspire someone else.
10. I've gotten involved with some online activities that I woudln't have otherwise, like reading the Bible in 90 days along with some other great bloggers and a new online book club.
11. I've been encouraged by people's comments, understanding, and support.
12. Prompts like Thursday Thirteen and Friday's Feast make me think and write about things I might not otherwise.
13. It gives me something to do besides watching tv : )

Since last year's birthday was quite a bust, I decided this year to take matters into my own hands. A local tea room was hosting a Valentine's Dessert Tea, so I reserved a room for my nearest and dearest pals.

It was a wonderful night but we learned a very important lesson - don't bring BOYS (even 30 and 40+ year old ones) to you tea party! I love them anyway but they really didn't "get" the essence of the tea. And they set stuff on fire. Which is generally frowned upon in tearooms.

Labels: Birthdays

Well, my birthday month is off to a wonderful start! It's a running joke with my pals that I somehow always manage to stretch out the celebrating throughout the month. Heck, this past year I stretched it to October! : )

Today was a good day at work and a bunch of the girls took my out to lunch at Macaroni Grill...which I love! Then this afternoon we had cake to celebrate my birthday and another woman's in the office. Then off to run an errand and to youth group. David got me birthday cupcakes which was very sweet and some of the girls got me balloons. They also also signed a card - which just made my night. I love those kids so much!

Famous folks born on this day:

Ashton Kutcher
Chris Rock
Garth Brooks
James Spader
Sinclair Lewis
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Charles Dickens

I bought myself a laptop as a birthday present...to fulfill my dream of blogging from anywhere in my house and elsewhere! (Oh, yeah, and doing other work and stuff....) I have to admit the whole thing intimidated me. I've been talking about doing this for a few years but really didn't know what to do. So my dear friend Michael helped me spec it out and I ordered it. When it came, I was really afraid and thought I wouldn't know what in the world to do. I didn't even open the boxes at first. But tonight I unpacked it all and hooked it up - even the wireless stuff. AND IT WORKS.

I can't believe it!

I think I've mentioned previously that I love Beth Moore. Her teaching really touches me and her perspective in the Bible studies she leads is always interesting and thought-provoking. I saw her locally several years ago, not long after coming to faith, and her teaching spoke to my heart. I was blessed to find a local women's Bible study this fall that was doing her study, "Living Beyond Yourself"...which was exactly what I needed (isn't God cool that way?!?)

Anyway, Beth is a very busy lady and doesn't speak in our area very much. I had read a few months ago that a local women's ministry was running a bus trip to see her this summer a few hours away. I wanted to go but didn't think I could find a friend to go with so I put it out of my mind. But every time I saw something about it, there was a longing in my heart to go. Last week, I received information from this organization in the mail. I said to myself that if there were still tickets available, I was going, even if it was by myself.

There are 8 seats left!

The information didn't give a price for a single so I emailed. They wrote back this week to say they've been looking for someone going by themselves - there is a group of three who'd like a fourth to room with them! What a blessing. I did disclose, however, that I snore, so that could put the kabosh on them wanting to room with me. BUT, regardless, I AM GOING.

Labels: Beth Moore

Ah, winter has returned. Still no real snowfall to speak of, just nuisance storms here and there. We had been told we would have some accumulation Thursday night into Friday but woke up to nothing. Around 4:45, it began to rain and quickly changed to snow. I went out with a couple gals from work for a bit before scrapbooking and it was still snowing when I headed for the next leg of my journey. It continued while we scrapbooked and suddenly, the fibro kicked in. By 9:30, it was simply too much to bear and I ended up heading home. I was so disappointed because I'm working on a very special project that needs to be finished soon. I had hoped I could work on it today but I'm still not getting much relief.

I hate this disease. I really, really do. I was supposed to go out downtown with my friend from work tonight to celebrate our birthdays but the way I feel, I knew I could not handle it. When I talked to her, she asked if I was feeling badly at work yesterday and I had to say no - because I really wasn't. My back and hips hurt Thursday night and I was so exhausted I took a NAP when I came home from work, but the pain was nothing compared to now. It comes on with no warning, out of the blue. I can't predict it. Sometimes it hurts when the weather changes, sometimes it doesn't. It normally does if we are having a heavy snow or tornadic activity - I think that has to do with the change in the barometric pressure?

Part of the issue too is my complete denial about it all. Instead of thinking, oh, it may snow this week and I may feel crummy, I just go about my life and then am totally shocked when I am debilitated and have to cancel plans. I don't like to take my medication - and I have to add here that I am thankful I don't have to take it all the time - but it's always upsetting to me when I do have to and have to rely on it to get me through the day.

Sigh.

Labels: Fibromyalgia

I don't like to wait.

But I am often waiting.

Right now, I am waiting for some information so I can complete the church bulletins and get on with my day.

I am waiting for an email.

I am waiting for a delivery...or two.

I am waiting for a decision.

I am waiting for inspiration.

I am waiting for it all to be explained.