Day #286

October 13, 2014

It’s been a while since I mentioned thankfulness and what brings that feeling to the surface. Today I am thankful for friends.

For some reason, the peace associated with accomplishments yesterday flew out the window today. It surely is something to be thankful for - to have friends who are there when you need them - to listen, to check on you, to offer suggestions and get information, and to just be there.

(A picture of some of my favorite "friends" from my youth!)

Thank you God for creating us to be relational! You always know best!

Blessings.

Day #285

October 12, 2014

I suppose there is just one word to describe today - accomplishments. Slowly but surely, items are being checked off the list and my fear of running out of time is lessening.

At least that’s how I feel today!

Blessings.

Day #284

October 11, 2014

I have to admit, there was something very weird about this week. Part of what has become ingrained into my weekly routine was missing. Amongst the sorting, packing, cleaning, etc., there was no need (or discipline) for sermon preparation. There was no struggling with the scripture or listening for the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart and head about what to say tomorrow. 

Yep, it's weird! And I'm sure glad this hiatus isn’t going to last for very long!

Blessings.

Day #283

October 10, 2014

Today was a planning day. The upcoming Women in Ministry Retreat four of us have been planning for months is getting closer (within a month) and we spent a good part of today gathered at the retreat site going over details and making final arrangements.

Just so no one feels too sorry for all the detail work, we were in the mountains on a beautiful fall day with crisp, clean air and a hint of changing leaf colors. Not a bad backdrop! And the four of us always find time to enjoy a little laughter and often some food (one planner was kind enough to prepare lunch for us today - homemade soup, etc) and yet still manage to conjure up some creative ideas. Today was no exception.

However, it was a bittersweet time - it’s our last planning time all together. Things are changing like the leaves in the fall. All is well, though. We have the feeling - and hope - our paths will cross again!

Blessings.

Day #282

October 9, 2014

It was back to the cleaning out mode today. You know, getting rid of papers, books and “stuff” can truly be cathartic. No wonder Jesus talked so much about considering where we lay up our treasure.

Trouble is, I’m a tad on the paranoid side about getting rid of all this paper. I’m afraid I’ll ditch something I might end up needing sometime. (No, I’m not really a pack-rat, just cautious about paperwork - too many years in the insurance business, I guess.)

But, truth is, it’s time to look ahead! And travel just a little bit lighter! Hmmm...author Max Lucado wrote a whole book about that very thing...Traveling Light. It's actually a favorite of mine.

Blessings

Day #281

October 8, 2014

One of the fall traditions my husband and I have enjoyed for several years is going to the annual fair in the nearby town. His mother helped judge the flower arranging entries for many years and was able to get us free tickets that started the tradition.

This year we managed to attend on the “canned food drive” night. Admission was free for five cans of donated food for the nearby pantry. What a great idea! And a great reason to stop by the grocery on the way. Judging from the shelves that were nearly empty of the brand requested, MANY others thought the same thing.

So we managed to eat all the fair food (well, not even close to ALL the fair food, but a good amount), saw the exhibits we always enjoy (except cattle judging which was earlier in the week), and enjoyed a night away from packing, sorting and decision-making. It was FUN! And a little bit of fun is important (actually it's VITAL)!

Blessings.

Day #280

October 7, 2014

The office was packed. The final details complete (at least all I could think of to do). The recycles dumped in the trash can and the things to leave behind put away as neatly as possible. One last look around, then it hit me...

Six years ago when I came, one of the first things I did was go into the sanctuary and pray. I prayed for the church. I prayed for me - please, dear God, don’t let me mess this up too bad. Help me love the people. Help me be faithful in teaching and preaching and ministering with and to them. Show me what to do and help me do it. And help us work together for good for you.

Obviously, my last thing should be to go into the sanctuary and pray. So I did. Thank you, God, for bringing me to this place. Thank you for the work that has been done, the growth that has taken place, the love that has been shown. Thank you for guiding me, strengthening me, and humbling me. Thank you for the ones whose life on earth ended and thank you for the ones who came into their life on earth while I was here. Be with those who are struggling at this time and those I will not be honored to watch grow up. Help them all to love one another in the days ahead, have hope for the future, and be faithful in sharing the Good News.

You are in God’s good hands. Until we meet again….

Blessings.

Day #279

October 6, 2014

We laid the oldest member of the congregation to her final resting place today with the reminder: ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Truly a humbling moment and a moment of profound grief.

Yet, the outpouring of love and care for the family through the presence of folks and food was indeed heartwarming. But then, I am not surprised. It’s what they do. And they do it well!

May the Lord bless her and keep her. The Lord’s face shine on her with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon her with favor and give her peace. And everyone else, as well!

Blessings.

Day #278

October 5, 2014

I am tempted to just say one word about today - overwhelmed!! Weary as I am, my heart, mind and soul are filled to the brim. The folks are sending me off in style with gifts, cards, prayers, and the lingering of hugs and tears. I cannot begin to say how much I appreciate everything!!

Perhaps the hardest question to answer has been why. Why are you leaving? Why are you going so far away? Will you ever come back? One particular card summed up why I believe God is calling me away. It reads (and I’m summarizing): we could not understand why. We prayed and cried over it and finally came to a place of peace about it. We began to realize that without change the church, and you, cannot grow.

Amen!! Change is the icing on the cake of a time of discernment. It is hard, listening for God’s voice, God’s leading, and God’s ideas of what should be happening in God’s church.

And change is hard. Yet, it is vital. As the sermon ended today, we “just never know what God has in store.” Thanks be to our amazing God.

Blessings.

Day #277

October 4, 2014

Today I wrote my final sermons for the current call. The one for Sunday morning I have been writing in my head for the last couple of weeks. Somewhere between a celebration and a reminder of a couple of storms we’ve weathered, it also includes my hopes for a new pastor. Here is the synopsis:

• I hope the new pastor would find the congregation trusts their suggestions and decisions as being what is best for the church. And that what is best for the church would drive their decision-making.
• I hope they would value and appreciate the community. Love is what brings the folks together in worship and service. It’s felt by those who are new to the fold and those who have been around a while.
• I hope the congregation would quickly recognize the gifts a new pastor brings (knowing they will bring gifts) and graciously receive them.
• But above all, above anything and everything else, I hope they would deeply love God; for in loving God they will love the church.

Maybe I am being presumptuous to even consider mentioning these things. Yet, in them are some ways I hope the congregation will also be with their next pastor. I believe they are ready for the challenge and the adventure, and will continue trusting God to lead and guide them all the way.

Blessings.

Day #276

October 3, 2014

The phone rang early this morning. Very early. One of the homebound folks I have been visiting for the last several years was at the hospital and not expected to live very long. Unfortunately, I was about three hours from being able to get there. So I got ready as quickly as possible and drove as quickly as possible and arrived just after she died.

Holy ground! To be privileged and honored to be with a family during this time is one of the greatest gifts of being a pastor. And I am privileged and honored to be able to lead her funeral service. All worked out as I believe she would have wanted it.

Thank you Miss Lena for enjoying my visits, the crochet cloths, the stories, and the wisdom of 97 years. You will be missed, but never forgotten!

Blessings.

Day #275

October 2, 2014

I feel the need to make an apology. Many moments of intersection over these last weeks have been about my saying goodbye. It may be getting tedious, and I am sorry. Yet, it has permeated my days and this one was no different.

When I first arrived at my current call, I was invited to attend a monthly meeting of Lutheran pastors in the area. Most first Thursdays, these pastors meet to have lunch, share concerns, joys and ideas, sometimes have a program or speaker, but mostly to just enjoy camaraderie and friendship. Over the course of six years, these colleagues have become good friends and an amazing network of support. Many of us have done varied things together: taken mission trips, taught confirmation, worshiped, struggled, prayed, laughed, listened and talked.

Today was my last meeting with these folks. They sent me off in style with a delicious lunch, prayer of godspeed, and a gift - none of which surprised me. This is just the way they are.

I will certainly miss these colleagues. Yet, I believe many of our paths will surely cross again. After all, it’s a very small Lutheran world.

Blessings.

Day #274

October 1, 2014

Six years ago today was my first day going into the office at my current call. Those six years have flown by and during them relationships have been created that will remain bound through the love of Christ forever.

Another anniversary was just a couple days ago. It was the anniversary of my ordination. On September 28th in 2008, at the congregation where we worshiped in our hometown, I became ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament, culminating a dream years in the making.

It was a glorious moment in time and quite an intersection of folks from all aspects of my life and walk of faith. The first picture is with my fantastically supportive and loving husband, the second with sisters in ministry from past (the congregation’s first intern from twenty-fives years or so ago on the right, who is still a good friend) and present (my “adopted daughter” and awesome friend from seminary on the left), and the last with the bishop of our synod (right) and current pastor of the congregation (left).

Blessings.

Day #273

September 30, 2014

In these last weeks at my current call, I’m making my way around to visit all the homebound. I will miss these folks, along with so many others, but one particular person I visit especially appreciates the assurance of God’s love and forgiveness in the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Today as I visited, I reminded this person that God has claimed them and loves them. And with a smile, they looked at me and said, “You, too!”

What a gift in those two words! What a loving reminder! What a humbling experience to also receive what is given! Thanks be to God!

Blessings.

Day #272

September 29, 2014

Today was a reminder of how much a simple phone call can make someone’s day and rekindle a relationship. It has been quite a while since I talked to my only living uncle and today he called. I was surprised and pleased by his reaching out. And reminded of what MY phone call might also mean to someone.

Is there someone who might be waiting on you to call? Today might be a good day to do so.

Blessings.