mardi gras comes to an end...

Well, well, well...this weekend has been one of the best so far.

There was tasty sushi, many fried potatoes and onions, a bit of wine, some scrabble, more wine, cheese nips, bagels, a wedding gown purchase, a sermon, a few naps, lots of snoring, bridemaid dresses chosen, 3 course meals, reception food chosen, and lots of quality time with helen and laura - not to mention a bit of ps2.

helen is the BEST crazy taxi player ever.

now, back to the real world, nursing a cold while writing an ash wednesday sermon...good times.

with the spring cleaning that happened in preparation for this past weekend...i've cleared some of the mental clutter as well. i'm looking forward to this lenten journey with congregation and personal focus.

in just one night...

i used to think that pastoral formation took a while. yet it seemed as if something happened overnight.

i woke up today and i was the pastor.

with a slew of one-on-one conversations, random visits, a prayer shawl blessing, more conversations, several hugs and multiple cups of coffee...there was something different.

i know that the coffee probably didn't factor into the transformation, but something did.

the growth in the depths of relationships is important, but in a way it saddens me.

nearly 7 months here, and things start opening up.
yet only 5 to go...and i'm already on the countdown.

that's because some days aren't as good as today was.

when people are looking to get money, and not spreading the gospel; it's an uphill battle.

we'll see how things continue during my remaining time here.


looking forward to a weekend with helen and laura. lots of tasty food and gown shopping.
bring it.

in the words of mark olson...

"people are friggin stupid."

by golly, he's so right. i can't handle the amount of time i spend listening to stupid people argue about stupid things and complain that things aren't fixing themselves. when really, if these stupid people stopped complaining and started moving, we'd really be going somewhere.

today i had a wonderful conversation with an 89 yr-old parishoner. it's amazing, how across the generations we could connect on how important faith, attitude, and personal strength is to living a healthly life. for the two of us to sit and comprehend solving the problems in our church, the community and the city of Reading helped both of us end the evening with a new outlook...it's amazing how powerful conversation can be.

i'll definitely keep this conversation in mind as i go to the monthly vestry meeting tomorrow.



on the positive side...5 months to the day until the wedding.

it must be love

in years past, this day was celebrated with a black ribbon.

now, however, love is in the air...

a successful first pre-marital counseling, some chocolate, some roses, a new cd, a beautiful necklace and season one of the x-files = one sweet day.

out with the black and in with the red.

annyong

i have just witnessed the best two hours of television EVER!
yes, the last two hours of my life have been spent with the bluths.

COME ON!
i am disheartened that fox is no longer carrying the funniest show on television, but i have hopes that showtime is stepping up to the plate.

maeby this isn't the end...

super what?

well, this is the second super bowl for the day.

the one this morning consisted of youth carrying around soup pots raising money for the hungry in the community. at one worhsip service, we raised over $300 dollars for the local food bank.

now think about it....the number of hungry people in the united states continually rises.
$300 dollars is just a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of money that goes into this game tonight.

what if we put the two together? imagine the numbers of dollars we would raise if just one dollar, per hot dog bought went to the detroit food banks? or even, one dollar per person at the game? just one dollar? that's not alot considering the amount of money folks will pay for a beer at the game.

say a prayer and think about the good food you've eaten and snacked on today...
then donate to your local food bank.

to set things straight...

the title:

yes, i am a christian.

no, i am not a vegan.

went veggie for a while, but by golly did i miss a fine piece o' beef straight off the grill.
the trouble with going veg and going back is that folks still ask (over 5 years and many hamburgers, steaks and lamb chops later....) hey, jk are you still a vegetarian?

alas, not a huge burden to bear, so i get by.

in the meantime, there is a wedding to plan and an internship to complete.


hmmm...maybe i'll have some garlic beef and dumplings