Uphill idealist

I've always loved the season of Autumn. Maybe it's the sweater weather after the hazy and humid days of August. Maybe it's the time for new notebooks, pencils and back to school clothes. Or maybe it's the explosion of color the completely enfolds my community in the northeast. Any or every reason expressed, I love Autumn. This season brings with its falling leaves a few new vocational opportunities in my life. I've been filling the role as a teaching artist in several after school programs since September and on this coming Monday, I will begin my new full-time work in a church ministry with 1st Lutheran here in Jamestown. The teaching work has challenged me to stretch and grow by working with various ages of students, in different locations from week to week by creating interesting, fun and educational art lesson plans for them to participate and learn with. Here are just a few lessons I've learned as a teaching artist: 1.There are always surprises (some diffic

Good news! I'll be starting as the Director of Family and Youth Ministry this coming Monday at 1st Lutheran Church of Jamestown, NY. Some folks in town call it the "Pink Church". Here's a photo of the building sent to me by Pastor Billy. This is what autumn looks like where I live! Please keep me in your prayers as I begin a new ministry adventure.

Go give the song "Lost" by Coldplay a listen. Great song - kinda captures some of what I think an uphill idealist is... also there is a video contest for this song. Think of the possibilities! Just because I'm losing Doesn't mean I'm lost Doesn't mean I'll stop Doesn't mean I'm in a cross Just because I'm hurting Doesn't mean I'm hurt Doesn't mean I didn't get what I deserve No better and no worse I just got lost Every river that I've tried to cross And every door I ever tried was locked Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the shine wears off... You might be a big fish In a little pond Doesn't mean you've won 'Cause along may come A bigger one And you'll be lost Every river that you try to cross Every gun you ever held went off Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the firing stops Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the shine wears off Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the shine wears off Ooh-Oh, An

Pic Heather took of me October 2008. Least grateful for: The mouse that has taken up residence in my kitchen since the nights have turned cold. Discussions that only run in circles because one or both parties in the discussion aren't listening and only want to be "right". Leaves that fall in my yard the day after I thought they were all raked and chopped up in my reel mower. Seeing things glass half empty. Home and appliance repairs that need to be done. Learning how to re-balance everything in my life. Being late with Sleeping with Bread. Pic Heather took of me Oct. 2008 Prime Minister Crew 1990 or so. Most grateful for: The way and means of relocating Mr. Mouse. Discussions that run all over the place, where everyone is heard as well as listened too and great discoveries are made in all the conversational meandering over coffee and tea. Canopies of yellow, orange and red that fall and cover the neighborhood like a cozy blanket. Knowing that things are really glass half