Uphill idealist

Sweet Dreams by David Whyte from 'The House of Belonging' When your eyes are tired the world is tired also. When your vision has gone no part of the world can find you. Time to go into the dark where the night has eyes to recognize its own. There you can be sure you are not beyond love. The dark will be your womb tonight. The night will give you a horizon further than you can see. You must learn one thing. The world was made to be free in. Give up all other worlds except the one to which you belong. Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet confinement of your aloneness to learn anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you. The slumber of winter has transitioned into spring. The season of lent's wilderness journey has carried us to a time of resurrection, joy and new life. This poem by David Whyte speaks about transition and change. According to the poet's perspective, a time of rest or dreaming can lead to an opportunity for growth, developme...

On this last "official" day of winter, Aggie and I are very happy to say farewell to cold winter mornings, layers and layers of winter gear, yak tracks and icy roads for our early morning treks. We are also happy to greet the now tangible signs of spring: temps above the 30 degree mark prior to 7am, did I mention no more icy roads, and this lovely bunch of crocus that sprung up along my walk this week. Can I dare say it - I think spring is finally here! I've made it through my first running sometimes walking western NY winter. In April it will be two years since I started this process and journey of almost always daily exercise and jogging. It has been possible for me to get our the door with the help of my canine trainer coming to wake me up each day. Who would have thought that getting a dog from the Humane Society would be part of the key to becoming more active? Now where did Aggie hide my shoes?

Thank you to all who prayed and cheered me on to make the almost full enrollment for the Princeton Theological Seminary certificate program that begins at the end of April. I received word today that I have a spot. Now I have to work out some travel and hotel, but I'm very excited and thankful for this wonderful opportunity. All week as I've waited to hear news, I've been hopeful - and how perfect as the theme for the first session coming up is HOPE!

Please join us at First Lutheran Church on Sunday March 21st for our second annual "Soup on - hunger is GONE!" Luncheon to benefit Joint Neighborhood Project of Jamestown NY! Come sample some soup and see who will be crowned as "Best Soup Creator" for 2010. Soup will be served in the parlors from 12:30 to 2pm.

The Holy Conversations question this week is: What are some of the longings, desires and needs that have shaped your life? How has God used these desires, fulfilled these longings or responded to this need? -------------------------------------------- There are many needs in life that I feel God has been a part of bringing to pass: finding a husband who loves God and me, becoming the Mom of two amazing and healthy children, and finding a vocation in ministry that is both challenging and fulfilling. I think for me, beyond these big three needs, God has had a way of working in and thought all aspects of my life and caring for my needs in very practical and loving ways. As a young woman of 18 years old trying to make her way in the world, God provided a safe place for me to live, work to pay my bills and a "family" when at that time I was not in communication with my own. I found a local church to be a part of, learn in and even became a member of the worship team where I was e...

What has been in and out of focus? Dizzy, I'm so Dizzy, my head is spinning Like a whirlpool, it never ends... These lyrics to the song "Dizzy" by Vic Reeves is what I've been feeling for the last week. About three weeks ago, I had my eyes checked and found out that I needed to graduate up to some new specs. Apparently, my up-close vision was now in need of some assistance as I'd been experiencing some eye strain. After a few days of seeing in a relaxed and clear way, I was more efficient in taking care of business that required my peepers to work well. Vocationally, the pace of spring, almost Easter but still lent, has been especially busy for me as a church youth and family lay-minister. On top of the pace, my church is in the interim process of calling a Senior Pastor. While the extra duties are present and continue to shift and move, there have been moments of great focus and excitement. In April, I will hopefully (if I make it off the waiting list - I'm t...

I loved these letters to G-d - I love that G-d always wants to hear from us...