The Author, Tired of Blogging About Life's Petty Irritations and Ready For A Change

It's been awhile since I've blogged. I guess with Lamont and I both working out of town, the Spiritual Formation groups, youth group, another magazine article, work related training and getting ready for graduate school something would get dropped. And it turned out to be journaling.

I've been really thinking about how busy my life is and what I can do to simplify. But then a need for a Sunday School teacher pops up and -- you know.

I don't want to make my return to blogging a diatribe against busyness. Instead, I'd like to write about the things I'm thankful for... Actually, that should read who I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful for the editorial teams that have seen fit to publish my writing, whether they've been sitting in the offices of the Times Observer or The Wittenburg Door. It's nice to know that someone appreciates my genius, or at least has a few extra pages to fill.

I'm thankful for the Spiritual Formation posse in Jamestown and Warren. Whatever effort I've ever put into setting up a meeting is small in comparison to the companionship I've received in return. Being able to share our hearts in an atmosphere of acceptance is a rare thing these days... Let's keep this group going for the next twenty years or so...

I'm thankful for friends like James, Andy, Damien, Brian, Joe and John. They take all my weirdness in stride and occasionally throw some back my way. Plus their bizzare obsessions make mine look perfectly normal.

I'm thankful for my church. You know, I don't always want to be part of this tribe, but you people just keep making me feel too much at home to leave.

I'm thankful for my coworkers. If people only knew how good we all get along and how much fun we have, we'd have no problem filling that forever-vacant LCSW position.

I'm thankful for my kids. I always heard people say that kids are a reflection of their parents and that thought always made me shudder. But in my case I was lucky and the apples fell pretty darn far from the tree. You guys make being good cool.

I'm thankful for my family. The Addams Family doesn't have a patch on us, and that has to count for something! You raaaang?

I'm thankful for Lamont. I finally met my match the day I met her. Brainy, fun, deep -- plus a body that won't quit... What more could a guy want?

Diggin in"

I had the opportunity to go to a "Leadership Retreat" over night at my church's camp, and my husband and I decided to atted and give it a shot. After a difficult experience (that was ever to long to tell and isn't really worth your time to read), over a year ago - it was refreshing to go to an event where the purpose was to bring "Everyone" to the table to discuss the effectiveness, policy and future of our denomination.
Many opinions were stated, ideas and perspectives were varied, but the best result I feel was the feeling that everyone could be open and share constructive criticism as well as positive affirmations. We all had a say, we all listened to each other and I felt my heart leap as I felt heard and that I was hearing others for the first time in a long time! I got excited about our future as a church again, at least in a way that I haven't felt for a while.
All ages and generations were represented. Including: Pastors, staff, members, headquarters leaders, black, white, hispanic, elderly, young adults, middle aged adults and teens.
The playing field was leveled - and it felt good to be a part of it all.
I've always felt that the only way to fix problems, and plan for progress is to get everyone to the table and start to talk to each other face-to-face. We'll be on our way to healthier churches, pastors and members if we continue on this path.
I've got my walking shoes on and I'm ready. Are you?

Hamster in a Hammy Ball

Have you ever watched a hamster running around inside of a plastic hammy ball? I went to a "Curves-like" exercise spot yesterday and I had a preconceived notion that we would all be like a bunch of hamsters jogging around our own little areas moving from station to station at the pavlovian audio cue "Next Station". It was kinda like that, but the preconceived notion diddn't equal the end result.
I had fun - really. I got some exercise, I met some nice people and I really had a good time.
Maybe I underestimated the hamsters all along.