vacation

…on vacation in charlotte, nc. it’s been fun hanging out with andy’s family and catching up with friends down here. although i have to admit i’m getting ansy and ready to head back up and GET TO WORK. how weird is that??? i think i’m eager for fall because i love the weather and i do enjoy the energy of the season…

for now…a “currently -” update:

currently reading: the river why…it is a phenomenol book.
currently drinking: caribou coffee northern lite cooler.
currently listening: ten out of tenn compiliation cd volume 2.
currently dreaming: crisp autumn air and bright leaves on the ground.
currently stressing: not having a pre-k teacher for church school 2008-2009.

…thinking also that when i have time or get back so that i have more focused writing sessions maybe i’ll pick some specific topics to engage for a couple of weeks at a time…

so future topics will include:
-book “reviews”
-specific “thoughts” on youth ministry
-newspaper articles
-music…song lyrics? or albums? of people i don’t listen to on a regular basis?
-photos and snippets of life in easton…
-christian community living…

…more later.

reywt

i’m behind on my blogging…trying to catch up on the last month or so…

by the grace of god, as pedro would sarcastically say, but i say here fairly genuinely, i was offered a free trip to go to daytona beach to attend the “racial ethnic young women together” conference through pcusa as a ptsem rep. i wasn’t sure what to expect in the beginning, and by the time i got around to it i felt so exhausted from the summer i didn’t think i would have energy for it. but, it was truly a wonderful experience, first, catching up with some other pts ladies [bridgett green, larissa kwong abazia, etc]. second, meeting some amazing women from around the country, especially the puerto rican sisters. it truly is a freeing thing to be able to say something and not have to explain it…and really say whatever i want or need to and know that it’s in a safe place. third, i’ve never really spent much time in fl, but i enjoyed the beauty of the beach, and in particular, spending some time there with andy’s sister, sarah.

some things for me to munch on as a result of the conference include:

-a reminder of the necessity for me to constantly reflect on what anchors hold me down…and how they are connected to my passions and dreams.
-as cheesy as it sounds, it was nice for me to have some time to actually think about who i am…now entering my 30’s, my 3rd year of ministry at church, and my almost 4th year of ordained ministry…
-in terms of vocation, where am i in terms of my ministry vision, voice, and style? what’s my hope concerning the ministry that both andy and i do? what’s my youth ministry philosophy?
-am i doing and pursuing what’s necessary to make me a better person? is what i’m seeking after helping me be a better minister, better spouse, better daughter, better friend?
-who are the people i need to surround myself with to remind me who i am?
-what are some things i can do to stir things up? shake things up? push boundaries?

…blessings in disguise…more thoughts later.

ten out of tenn

a- and i went to see this show in philly at the world cafe live, mainly because of katie herzig. she is a stellar song writer, vocalist, and musician, and just all around a really wonderful person. her new album “apple tree” is fantastic…different from her first two, and certainly different from her days in newcomers’ home…but there’s a genuine consistency throughout all her music that i just thoroughly appreciate about her. i’ve been following her since we were both freshmen at CU. :o]

all the musicians were amazing, but i was particularly drawn to butterfly boucher [upon the recommendation of someone at the church], erin mccarley, and griffin house [link to the right]. bb is just phenomenol and will blow you out of the water the way she rocks out. em surprised me being so cute and little with this voice that had layers and layers of depth and lyrics that were haunting and irresistable. and gh told some funny, poignant stories about family, very accesible and down-to-earth, that a- and i keep laughing about periodically. but his music is really thoughtful and inspiring…love the deep emotional engagement and the glimpses into a bigger reality…his sound is unique, but i heard a little bob dylan-ish, johnny cash-ish, and sprinklings of, as the website says, jackson browne.  

check it out! www.myspace.com/tenoutoftenn

the big 3-0

woah. seriously. can’t believe the 20’s are over. is 30 truly the new 20??? i have no idea.

a great couple of days: wednesday met up with a couple of wonderful friends in the city. i love the city. then, a- and i went to ocean on thursday night thinking we would be there until midnight when it would be friday, i.e. my birthday. i’ve been sick these last few days, and we made it to 11:30. jeez, is that a sign of things to come or what?!?! but the food and wine were wonderful, and i loved starting out my birthday celebration there. friday, we went to the city again to eat korean food - soooooooooo good - watch rent - which was amazing and inspiring - and then out for dessert at anthony bourdain’s restaurant. a fantastic way to usher in this new decade.

some highlights from the 20’s and things i’m thankful for:

-my family
-going to seminary and marrying andy
-good friends from seminary
-working at great places so far: UPC and CHPC
-getting ellis, the boxer pup that runs our lives
-DR trips

there’s more, but it would take too long.

DR story #4

the worship services were really wonderful. andy preached at two out of three of them and i was extremely blessed by it. someone asked me why i wasn’t preaching at any of them, and i just answered honestly: i’m being selfish. i hardly ever get a chance to hear him preach, so this was a great opportunity. [and no, it wasn't out of my own laziness...]

his first sermon was on psalm 133: how good it is when brothers and sisters live together in unity…the blessing of these groups coming together…the dew of mount hermon signifying newness of mornings and refreshment, rejuvenation, and hope…the oil running over the beard of aaron signifying abundance and celebration as well as healing. all of it connected to life and life forevermore in God…

his second sermon was on isaiah 49: basically the promise that God knows us, knows our names, and will never forget us. our names our inscribed on the palms of his hands… 

the last service was really lovely…with dan and chelsea giving genuine, heartfelt testimonies about the week [there wasn't a dry eye], andy giving a beautiful sermon, and the kids singing in the front together…as joy observed: watching doralis, the little blind girl, sing “open the eyes of my heart” will mess you up…and then the ceremony of gifts and such. i was touched by the p-79 kids involvement in everything and their connection with kids, too…

more and more, the centrality of worship is impressed on me…i admit i’ve grown a little cynical about the point and necessity of these rituals…but i’ve realized through worship services in the DR that it’s not meant to be a performance or routine…not an exercise…it is the unique culmination weekly of being God’s community together. hm, i said that in a weird way. while it cannot be disconnected from the outreach and kingdom work…each week is meant to be a necessary and beautiful moment in time where we can celebrate God’s presence and be in community, as well as learn about our faith, receive pastoral care, and be inspired to do God’s work…it is what makes our mission and endeavor distinct from key club or any other service organization. i realize more and more how i can and should pour more into any worship experience with people, not only as a response to my calling and ordination vows, but because of my responsibility as a christian believer…priesthood of all believers…