Uphill idealist

In the waiting there are tears and confusion, but there are compassionately held tissue boxes, hot cups of coffee and long embraces. In the waiting there is worry over the unknown but then there is space to consider what else might be possible. In the waiting there are long nights of talking through brambles and burdens, but there are dawns of hope that take us by surprise and show up at the door. In the waiting there is waiting, and waiting and waiting, but there are caring prayers, calls, texts, and conversations unnumbered that full the seconds, minutes and days. In the waiting are moments we never want to live. But once we live them, we learn who we really are. In the waiting we are not alone. In the waiting we are loved. In the waiting we are called to live. In the waiting we know whatever happens, it was worth the wait. Art "Hearing" and poem by T.L. Eastman  Copyright 2015 

Winding, wandering and waiting to be - to become what it is meant to be. Always reaching, stretching, and grasping for the next corner or turn. How lucky would this bamboo be  if it knew where it already was the luckiest of places. Rest. Be. Drink in the water and air of where you are,  for where you are always has it's own kind of luck and loveliness. You are already lucky, bamboo you. T.L. Eastman (Image and poem) copyright 2015

2015 Detroit Youth Gathering PSA Baskets-full of Empowerment for local youth July 15 to 19, 2015 marks the whirlwind week for the triannual Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s National Youth Gathering in Detroit, MI. The almost week-long trip will engage youth in grades 9 to 12 in service projects, education and opportunity to worship with over 30,000 Lutheran youth from across the United States. For the last three years a local Lutheran team, (Emily Magnuson, Kirsten Magnuson, Emily Whitney, Lydia Gozdalski, Caylee Shelters, Darcy Whitney and Vicar Tara Eastman) have been raising funds and making preparations for this summer’s mission and education trip to Detroit. A major fundraiser and team building project will take place on Friday June 12th at 7pm in the parlors of First Lutheran Church. This fundraiser will include a basket raffle (basket donations are welcome) and a screening of the documentary film, “The Empowerment Project”. The Film The Empowerment Pr

Words sometimes seem difficult to put together in a way to express all one needs to say. Sometimes words are partially effective in getting a point across, but pictures sometimes "are worth a thousand words". Optimism is the higher functioning sibling of idealism. Optimism is more likely to experiment, to try, to be open. Idealism sometimes is so married to meeting a goal, to attaining perfection, that an effort goes undone. So in word and picture, Uphill Idealist returns, with a a try - a test - imperfect, but present; because optimism is like having the courage to try the cha cha.... Image found at Facebook page for Inspire