Uphill idealist

Last week was my family vacation week. I had my bags packed, a book picked out to read and a whole week to meander around with my family on day trips to museums, relaxing drives and maybe even a trip to see a movie. To be honest, one of the things I most looked forward to was soaking up some sun by the above ground pool at my mother-in-law's home. Saturday afternoon, I took a dip in the pool and after cool down climbed to ladder back down to sit in a lawn chair. I had my sun glasses, my water bottle and my already selected reading. I was set for vacation. Just then, I noticed the lawn chair was too low and started working on the metal arms to prop myself up just so. The chair was stuck on the right side, so I pulled myself out of the chair and started banging on the frame with my right hand. I had a fleeting thought that I should be careful with the metal edge as the lever arm finally came loose and reset itself in place. A wave of pain ran up my arm and I looked down to see the f...

I've been bitten by the hair bug yet again. On Monday I have an appointment and I'm looking for some fun summer ideas. Here are a few options this far. Wish #1 was found on the blog Sarah Says on a random search.The original blogger is now posting at the blog Starfish . This first one I really love, but what about these other options? Wish #2 Like this... these cool hair cut photos are from a salon in Lisbon, Portugal called WIP- hairport . Wish #3 Or finally, Wish #4 Which wish do you prefer for me?

Image from blog Soul Sanctuary Flip the switch that switched in me. Where did that feeling of rest go to be. Wonder never cease and the sun shines bright. Can I go back to that place of fancy free and flight? If I could, I'd throw that worry switch far away, so it would never again darken my door or see the light of day. Let loose that hair and put on those comfy clothes, no matter the placement rest won't have to say "Adios!" Flip that switch that switched so silently... Flick it again, and quick get out that duct tape and stick flurry forever "off" and away from me. T.L. Eastman July 2010

As I'd mentioned, I've been loving and living in the sun as much a possible the last few weeks - including spending last week at LCLC working with Confirmation Camp. What a great week! This week, I'll be on vacation and spending some much needed time resting and being "with" my family. We may even take in a museum or two as well. Have a great week, hope your 4th weekend was wonderful and see you soon. Tara Lamont PS> We just got a new digital camera, so I hope to show you the further tan development of Summer 2010! (Don't fret all, I still am using sunscreen!)

Image from blog Gospel by ear . "That twinkle of joy and love in your eye is the spark of heaven I needed to see." I don't think there is anything better as a parent than to see your child rolling up their sleeves and digging into an activity that they truly love and are absorbed by. There is a silent joy, an all inclusive involvement that looking from the outside we as parents get the opportunity to soak up and observe at times. When considering how I love to see the gifts and talents of my own children be developed and implemented, I started to wonder if that is how G-d feels when observing each of his children when they are in the zone of their gifts and talents? Does G-d beam with pride when the gifts he gave are cared for, developed and carried out to their fullest potential? I'm sure like other parents, G-d desires for each one of us to have life to the full and I think that includes this area of gift or talent. I want to be a good steward of the G-d-given gifts...

According to the Urban Dictionary Tara is defined as 1. a girl who posses these qualities: beauty humor originality shyness culinary skills loves animals and who is a lovable dork. a 'tara' is somebody you wanna meet. How nice of the Urban Dictionary to be so kind. I espically like the "lovable dork" part. Fellow bloggers, sorry I've been mia here lately. There's this bright blue sky and warm yellow ball in the sky that I can't seem to get enough of lately. (Look I'm even a little tan!)

A few months ago, I received a call from a Pastor that oversees youth ministry for the Upstate and Western NY. She asked me if I would be interested in coming to Convo in Rochester to serve as Chaplin. My first response was "Chaplin?!!?" My second response was, " Am I able to do this?" and my third was, "What exactly is Convo?". Convo is a senior-high youth gathering of the Synod area that is part retreat, part community building, part church camp culture, part service project and part education in the business and voting aspects of the Lutheran church. Some of the responsibilities of the individual serving as "Chaplin", is to help plan the curriculum for the small group time for students, assist individuals with prayer support and a listening ear, and to be curator and tender of the prayer space used by the students and staff throughout the week. Convo is something very unique in way of youth ministry events as it is six days long. The sheer amo...