Uphill idealist

Cartoon from Toothpaste for Dinner. No complaints here. I'm pressing onto the reality that I had had some serious help today in preparing for the fundraiser breakfast and luncheon for Sunday. I keep looking around and on my to do list and I see that most everything I was worrying about is done, assigned, or good to go. One, two, three, four, five, six of the eight student that the fundraiser is for came to help and one, two, three, four who are not attending the trip came to chip in just because. Tables are set, eggs are cracked, and the rigatoni is ready to bake. Thanks to the two moms who assisted as well. Usually the night before such events I full of nervous energy, tonight I'm relaxed. In fact the most relaxed I've felt in a long while. This fact is one I'd like to happen more often in my reality. If you think of us on Sunday - stop by and have some good eats. If you can't make it here - say a prayer that it all goes well. Breakfast is 9am-10:30am with scramble...

In light of reading my blogging friend Mel's reminder of the choices we all have in life, I'm making a thankful list for today to make up for, well - some really cranky attitude I choose to swim in earlier this evening. By the way family - sorry for that. On to the thanks, for what I thought was a crummy, but really not day: A sit down breakfast out with my hubby complete with over-easy eggs, sour dough toast, strawberry jam, a PITCHER of coffee and great conversation. Getting a flyer project done for my youth group. Complete with bios on each student and pictures. Beautiful color printers at the office. People who call the office after reading my article in the monthly newsletter to tell me they were TICKLED by what they read! TICKLED! Love that word. Little children that are content to sit by me and color with sharpies, chat about what movies they will see this weekend, and sing very loudly in my ears for over an hour. I think this means that they might just like me a little...

Donald Fels. At the Table, 2008. My friend Jodi was sharing with me about a worship gathering she used to help lead at her previous church. The gathering was simply called, The Table. This is her explanation of "The Table" At my last church, the Children's director and I worked hard to establish something we called "The Table." The idea was to gather together as whole families for a simple meal of soup and bread. Then we shared a prayer experience together and ended the evening with communion - all intended to recognize the presence of each other and Jesus around the table. The table included lots of silence,time to just notice each other, time to just be. The Table is something I think all of us are hungry for. How often does church really offer us the space to be, to notice and to reflect? I'm somewhat ADD of my own accord, so focus for me can naturally be difficult, but it the time, space and place are things that I still crave and need. When will us ch...

Starving by Suzanne Muna 2005 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:42-47 TNIV). The Acts 2 scripture is challenging and somewhat haunting for me. I remember it being a focus point for ministry and outreach in not one but two different occasions and locations in ministry. I feel the connectedness of the Acts 2 community is so much of what the church and people in common are also starving for today. People need relationships wi...

When I was a kid I used to watch Bugs Bunny with great delight. This clip is one of my all time favorites. In the words of Bugs "Can't you see your next - you're so next..." Rabbit of Seville, featuring Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd (1950) @ Yahoo! Video Nice boxers Elmer. Here are some of the lyrics for the toon: RABBIT OF SEVILLE (Jones-1950) How do?? Welcome to my shop, let me cut your mop, let me shave your crop Daintily, daintily Hey you!! Don't look so perplexed, why must you be vexed, can't you see you're next Yes you're next, you're so next How about a nice close shave Teach your whiskers to behave Lots of lather lots of soap Please hold still don't be a dope Now we're ready for the scraping There's no use to try escaping Yell & scream & rant & rave It's no use you need a shave (oh ouch ouch oh ouch oh oh ouch) There, you're nice and clean Although you're face looks like it might have gone through a machine ...

Image: Heartsong By khollandsblog Psalm 139:5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. You hem me in, you hold me close in moments I miss and fail to notice. Heavy my heart for the worries of the day, If I could grasp how you still try to light my way. You see and the corners I try to hide and still love who you see, no darkness can hide. Do I see me with your eyes or ones that only see shortfalls and lies. What do is see when I look at my face? A mirrored reflection with it all out of place or a life of hope, a mind to grasp it? Do I get it all or only catch a glimmer a glimpse of my place? Who I am and have been created to be. A vessel of eikon - built to hold love. Can I give it a try? I am a child of G-d, you made me to breathe - not limited gasping moments but deep breath full of life and possibility. Can I see what you see? A child made in love, and made to be free. T.L. Eastman 2009

It's a picture perfect day outside. The birds are singing, the sky is totally blue and the sun is more August like than it is April like. The quiet of my Monday should make me feel at rest - this is my day off, but I find myself feeling totally overwhelmed in the area of "Things to do". I was even tempted to head into the office to get a head start on things in the coming week, but to be honest - I know I need the day away. Really I do. So for the sake of sorting out the last week I'm choosing a specific, Sleeping with Bread question/statement today. Often, I just need pointed in the direction of a start then I'm good to go. So here goes. For what am I least grateful? Most grateful? Challenge: I'm the kind of person who would prefer to have things given to me straight , even if the message is tough to hear. This week I experienced some misaligned info and attitude that I had to spend too much time re-orienting and repairing. I really hate to waste time on suc...

First Lutheran Youth (FLY) is holding a rigatoni dinner on Sunday, May 3rd from noon to 1:30 pm. Pat Post, nationally known pianist, will provide musical entertainment during the luncheon. Take outs are available, too. Tickets are $5.00 for Adults, $3.00 for children 10 and under, or $15.00 per family. All proceeds will benefit the youth's trip to the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer. Come out and have a good time and support a good cause! First Lutheran Church is located at 120 Chandler St. in Jamestown.

YS will be hosting a one day Bible training in Hamburg NY on Saturday May 9th. I'm hoping to go to this event and was wondering if there was anyone out there that would like to tag along as well? For the more information go to: http://ysoneday.com/ for all the details on a One day training near you!